Allegations
22.—(1) This article applies where any allegation is made against a registrant to the effect that—
(a)his fitness to practise is impaired by reason of—
(i)misconduct,
(ii)lack of competence,
(iii)a conviction or caution in the United Kingdom for a criminal offence, or a conviction elsewhere for an offence which, if committted in England and Wales, would constitute a criminal offence,
(iv)his physical or mental health, or
(v)a determination by a body in the United Kingdom responsible under any enactment for the regulation of a health or social care profession to the effect that his fitness to practise is impaired, or a determination by a licensing body elsewhere to the same effect;
(b)an entry in the register relating to him has been fraudulently procured or incorrectly made.
(2) For the purposes of this article references to a conviction include a conviction by a Court Martial.
(3) This article is not prevented from applying because the allegation is based on a matter alleged to have occurred outside the United Kingdom or at a time when the person against whom the allegation is made was not registered.
(4) Rules may provide that where a Practice Committee finds that a person has failed to comply with the standards mentioned in article 21(1), such failure shall not be taken of itself to establish that his fitness to practise is impaired, but may be taken into account in any proceedings under this Order.
(5) When an allegation is made to the Council or any of its committees, as soon as reasonably practicable after receipt of the allegation in the form required by the Council, the Council shall refer it—
(a)where it is an allegation of the kind mentioned in paragraph (1)(b), to the Investigating Committee; and
(b)in any other case—
(i)to persons appointed by the Council in accordance with any rules made under article 23, or
(ii)to a Practice Committee.
(6) If an allegation is not made under paragraph (1) but it appears to the Council that there should be an investigation into the fitness to practise of a registrant or into his entry in the register it may refer the matter in accordance with paragraph (5) and this Order shall apply as if it were an allegation made under paragraph (1).
(7) Hearings and preliminary meetings of Practice Committees at which the person concerned is entitled to be present or to be represented are to be held in—
(a)the United Kingdom country in which the registered address of the person concerned is situated; or
(b)if he is not registered and resides in the United Kingdom, in the country in which he resides; and
(c)in any other case, in England.
(8) While the registration of a registrant is suspended by virtue of a suspension order or an interim suspension order he shall be treated as not being registered notwithstanding that his name still appears in the register but this does not prevent action being taken in respect of such a person as appropriate under articles 22 to 32 of this Order.
(9) The Council shall publish as soon as reasonably practicable particulars of any orders and decisions made by a Practice Committee under article 26(7) or (11), 29(5), 30(1), (2), (4), (6), (7) or (8) or 33 and of its reasons for them and of any decision given on appeal.
(10) The Council may disclose to any person any information relating to a person’s fitness to practise which it considers it to be in the public interest to disclose.
(11) In this Part “the person concerned” means the person against whom an allegation has been made.