Complaints processes are a key regulatory tool to explore concerns about registered practitioners where there may be a risk to the public. This is a key function of regulators who are charged with acting in the public interest.

Increasingly regulators are examining traditional regulatory disciplinary systems in order to assess the human impact on all those involved in the process including registrants, complainants and witnesses.

This episode explores the possibility of transformative paths forward, focusing on a more compassionate approach involving holistic systemic quality improvement rather than a one-size-fits-all punitive approach. This is known as “compassion in regulation”. It has been led by evidence-based research listening to the lived experience of people with experience of the complaints process at different stages and in different roles.

Joined by distinguished regulatory leader and academic Dr Anna van der Gaag, hosts Caroline Conroy and Johanna Morris unpack how regulatory bodies can embrace humility, courage, and true collaboration to protect the public while safeguarding human dignity.

THINGS WE SPOKE ABOUT

- The need to focus on the meaning, not mechanics of regulation
- Regulatory leadership – looking at gaps in complaints handling against regulated professionals
- The importance of including people with lived experience in regulatory quality improvement
- Courage and humility in regulatory leadership
- How to instil a learning culture in your regulator
- Just culture versus blame culture in the healthcare sector

GUEST DETAILS

Dr Anna van der Gaag is Principal Investigator, Wellcome Discovery Project at University of Surrey UK, and a distinguished regulatory leader who has carried out groundbreaking research in the area of professional regulation.

Qualified in London as a speech and language therapist, she was the Chair of the Health and Care Professions Council and collaborated extensively with Australian health regulators on patient safety on minimising health practitioner distress. She has also held a number of non-executive roles.

https://www.surrey.ac.uk/people/anna-van-der-gaag
https://www.nursesuicidestudy.com/

MORE INFORMATION

Rethinking Regulation is for anyone working in or impacted by professional regulation with a particular focus on those who are leaders and decisions makers in regulatory and public bodies.

Hosted by two of Ireland's most trusted names in regulation, Johanna Morris and Caroline Conroy.

Conversations with leading national and international leaders in regulation unpack real challenges facing regulators today, cover fresh thinking and current developments whilst setting out practical ways forward for effective regulation in a fast - paced changing environment.

Regulation rarely stands still. Rethinking Regulation will help you walk away with a clearer path forward in a real and practical way.

Click ‘follow now’ to join us on Apple, Spotify, YouTube or wherever you get your podcasts.

QUOTES

- Tread lightly on people's lives and think of the human being on the receiving end. - Dr Anna van der Gaag

- We need to focus on the meaning of regulation as well as the mechanics. - Dr Anna van der Gaag

-In terms of leadership the absolutely essential elements were courage, humility, a continual self-reflection and staying connected with people with lived experience.” Dr Anna van der Gaag

KEYWORDS

#RethinkingProfessionalRegulation#MeaningAndMechanics#RegulatoryLeadershipAndCulture
#humane healthcare regulation