Press Release

Health Professions Council meeting summary

Thursday, July 3 2008

This is a summary of the decisions made at the Council held on Thursday 3 July. The full agenda and papers are available on our website at:

http://www.hpc-uk.org/aboutus/council/councilmeetings_archive/

Full minutes of the meeting will be published as part of the papers for the next Council meeting.

Application for regulation of sonographers

Following discussion at its meeting on 27 March 2008, the Council considered a presentation from the Society and College of Radiographers in support of their application for the regulation of sonographers. The application will be considered again at a future meeting, in light of further information to be provided by the Society.

Psychotherapists and counsellors

The Council approved a document seeking the views of stakeholders on the proposed regulation of psychotherapists and counsellors by the HPC. The information collected will be used to prepare for a Professional Liaison Group which will meet in 2008-9 and make recommendations to the Council about the regulation of psychotherapists and counsellors.

Hearing Aid Audiologists

The government intends that, in future, hearing aid audiologists should be regulated by the HPC instead of the Hearing Aid Council. The Council agreed that the HPC should consult in conjunction with the Hearing Aid Council on the proposed standards of proficiency; and consult in conjunction with the Hearing Aid Council on threshold level qualification for entry to the Register.

Council for Healthcare Regulatory Excellence report on Nursing and Midwifery Council

The Council discussed whether there were any issues for the HPC arising out of a recent report on the Nursing and Midwifery Council. It was agreed that any issues should be addressed through the HPC’s committees.

Amendments to the standards of proficiency for chiropodists and podiatrists

Following a consultation in 2007-8, the Council agreed that the standards of proficiency relating to prescription only medicines and local anaesthesia should become compulsory for chiropodists and podiatrists from 1 September 2009. (Existing registrants who have not undertaken education and training in these areas would not be required to undertake additional training in order to meet the standards).

Standards of education and training and guidance

The Council approved a consultation on proposed changes to the standards of education and training and the related guidance.

Draft annual reports

The Council approved its draft annual report and accounts and the draft fitness to practise annual report.

Restructured Council

The Council agreed criteria for the appointment of the Chair and members of the restructured Council.

If you need any further information about the decisions made, please contact Colin Bendall by email at colin.bendall@hpc-uk.org

The next meeting of the Council is on 11 September 2008. Papers for that meeting will be published on the HPC website at the following link:

http://www.hpc-uk.org/aboutus/council/councilmeetings/