[Medical disciplinary law in Belgium]

Disciplinary law is regulated differently in Belgium than in the Netherlands. The Belgian Order of Physicians is responsible for the disciplinary supervision of physicians. The order is an institution with legal personality and has a three-tiered structure, two of which have judicial authority, namely the ten provincial councils and the two appeal councils. The third structure, the national council, has normative authority with the task of drafting the Code of Medical Ethics.

To describe disciplinary law in Belgium.

To provide an overview of the main characteristics and to outline some current developments.

The provincial council initially handles complaints behind closed doors, and the complainant can appeal to the appeal council through a public procedure. The Code of Medical Ethics does not have legally binding force but is regularly updated, taking into account both international and national relevant legislation. The domain of medical practice has become more extensive in recent decades and is increasingly regulated by law with new control bodies. The Order of Physicians retains its deontological powers but must take into account the legal powers of these new bodies.

Both the Order of Physicians and the political authorities agree that the 1967 law (Royal Decree No. 79) needs to be revised and updated, but no submitted bill has succeeded in doing so to date. Key concepts for revision are: multidisciplinary structure, more openness and transparency.