A hearing today aptly demonstrated why it is important for registrants to engage with NMC proceedings at the earliest possible stage.

My client was referred to the NMC for failing to report serious matters to safeguarding and for dishonestly deleting patient's electronic records. Both of them are serious concerns.

They came to me at the earliest possible stage, and I was able to advise them on the correct steps to take, with a view to defending themselves throughout the NMC investigation, including if necessary, at an interim order application hearing. When the NMC decided to apply for such orders, they give you about a week's notice before the hearing. As it turned out, the NMC did apply for an 18-month interim suspension order. As you can imagine, this would have had a devastating effect on my client and their family, so it was just as well we were prepared in advance.

As a result of my submissions today, and the work we had done over the past 10 days, the NMC panel were persuaded that no order was necessary.

Both the panel secretary and the chair of the panel congratulated me on the presentation of my submission - but what is most important, is that I was able to put forward such a good case, because my client had the sense to get help at the earliest stage.

Know when you are operating beyond your competence, and get help - it applies in your work, and when are you under investigation by your regulator. Do it!