Press Release

HPC launches fees consultation

6 November 2006

The Health Professions Council (HPC) has launched a three month consultation to ask registrants and stakeholders for their views on the level of increase in fees.  

The HPC’s existing fees have remained unchanged over the last three years despite a steady increase in the costs of regulation and inflation.  This consultation sets out why the HPC is proposing an increase and how the money will be spent.  In particular, the increase will enable the HPC to manage the growing number of fitness to practise allegations which have more than doubled since its inception.  It will also be used to help maintain the register, develop the levels of engagement with registrants and the public and to maintain the high standards of approvals visits carried out by the education department.  

Anna van der Gaag, HPC President said “It is vital that the HPC has an appropriate and realistic level of income to enable us to operate effectively, give registrants an efficient service and to protect the public.

“We are looking forward to listening to registrant and stakeholder views on our proposals. Anyone who wishes to take part in the consultation and have their views heard, can write to us with their comments by post or email. We look forward to hearing a variety of views and ideas over the coming months."

In the consultation, the HPC have put forward two options for renewal fees and for the fees charged to applicants who have successfully completed an approved course and are applying to be registered for the first time.  It also proposes that the scrutiny fees charged for processing applications via the international, EEA and grandparenting routes should increase.  The HPC also propose to introduce higher fees for people who are applying to come back on to the Register.

The Council is consulting with a variety of stakeholders, including professional bodies, employers, higher education institutions and others with an interest in the HPC’s work.

The consultation will run until Tuesday 6 February 2007.  If the proposals are adopted the changes to the fees will be effective from June 2007. Existing registrants would pay the new renewal fee when their profession next renews its registration.