Claire O'Cleary, CORU CEO and Registrar

In this webinar, Claire O’Cleary will talk about trends in Fitness to Practise complaints. This presentation reviews trends in Fitness to Practise (FtP) complaints received by CORU, based on an analysis of 151 cases closed between 2022 and 2024, including cases concluded at both Preliminary Proceedings Committee (PPC) and Committee of Inquiry (COI) stages. The research explored complaint sources, professional groups involved, themes, outcomes, and opportunities for learning and prevention. Most complaints reviewed at PPC stage originated from service users, while employer-led complaints were more common in cases progressing to a COI. The most frequently identified themes were personal and professional behaviour, communication, care and treatment, safeguarding, record keeping, and professional boundaries. Findings indicate that many complaints arise from concerns about communication, professional judgement, service delivery, or unmet expectations, with only a minority requiring regulatory intervention. The analysis highlights opportunities to improve public protection, support professional practice, enhance understanding of the FtP process, and promote measures aimed at preventing harm.

The CORU Protecting the Public: Fitness to Practise Trends Report is available here

Watch our video on the key findings of the report here