GDC announces reappointment of Moyes

Moyes was first appointed as chair in 2013. Prior to that he worked as founding Executive Chairman of Monitor (now part of NHS Improvement), which authorised and regulated the finance and governance of NHS Foundation Trusts. He has also held positions at the Bank of Scotland Group and the British Retail Consortium, among others.

As GDC chair, he received criticism by the British Dental Association (BDA) and other organisations in 2015 over a report issued by the Professional Standards Authority that pointed out deficiencies in the GDC’s performance and fitness to practise process. Addressing some of these issues, he spear-headed a recent initiative that aims to improve the current system of dental regulation. It was published in January this year and proposed fundamental changes in areas like the complaints system.

“I am delighted to be reappointed to the GDC,” said Moyes in a statement. “This is an exciting time for the organisation as we press ahead with a series of reforms. While there are challenges which lie ahead, there is a real opportunity for the sector to work together to make the system of regulation work better for patients, and remain fair for dental professionals so that public confidence in dental services is strengthened.”

“Under Bill’s leadership, the Council has not shied from taking difficult decisions and has been willing to think radically about the way the GDC works in pursuit of our ambition to become a high-performing, effective regulator. That focus and determination is delivering results and has laid a solid foundation for further improvements,” commented Chief Executive Ian Brack. “This reappointment provides consistency in strategic vision which will help the GDC to realise the ambitious plans recently set out in Shifting the Balance—using regulation to enable and support dental professionals to prevent harm, whilst putting public protection at the heart of what we do.”

In an initial reaction, the BDA expressed disappointment at the reappointment.

“The GDC Chair’s term in office has been defined by a total collapse in trust in professional regulation among this profession, and the question remains whether such a figure can ever deliver the change we need,” BDA Principal Executive Committee Chair Mick Armstrong said. “While this reappointment represents a missed opportunity, our priority remains clear. Patients and practitioners deserve a regulator and a chair that really understands dentists and dentistry.”

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