Interim Orders Tribunal and Interim Measures Tribunal (Advocacy Services)

Section 41A of the Medical Act 1983 (as amended) provides the power for an Interim Order Tribunal (IOT) of the Medical Practitioners Tribunal Service (MPTS) to impose an interim order of suspension or conditions on a doctor’s registration where such an order is necessary for the protection of members of the public or is otherwise in the public interest, or is in the interests of the practitioner.

Similarly, Article 11 of the Anaesthesia Associates and Physician Associates Order 2024 provides the power for an Interim Measures Tribunal (IMT) of the MPTS to impose an interim order of suspension or conditions on an anaesthesia associate’s or physician associate’s registration where such an order is necessary for the protection of members of the public or is otherwise in the public interest, or is in the interests of the associate.

Under both an IOT and IMT an interim order/measure, for an initial period of up to 18 months, may be imposed. At the end of the initial period, the interim order/measure may be extended by the High Court, on application by the GMC. Any extension is for a maximum of 12 months, although there is no limit on the number of extensions that may be sought.

The legislation requires that once an interim order/measure has been imposed, it is reviewed at regular intervals (normally every 6 months), both before and after any extension authorised by the High Court.