The role of an independent advisor is to provide HDC with clinical advice on professional and ethical standards and issues. HDC will consider the advice together with all other information gathered during the assessment of the complaint and during the investigation process. Clinical advice assists HDC in deciding how to resolve a complaint or, in the circumstances of an investigation, when deciding whether there has been a breach of the Code. The advice may also inform the nature of any recommendations made to change systems and practices.
HDC’s usual practice is to seek advice from a peer of the provider involved in the complaint. Sometimes, an acknowledged expert in a specific area of practice will be asked to advise on more complex investigations.
The independent advisor is asked to state their opinion as to whether the services provided to the person involved were consistent with accepted standards of practice at that time. In doing so, they should refer to any relevant written standards, guidelines, and practices on which they rely.
In most cases, a copy of the advisor’s report(s) will be sent to you for comment before the completion of HDC’s assessment of the complaint or investigation. The advisor may then be asked for further comment on any response obtained. The complainant will also be provided with a copy of the report.