§ Dr. FoxTo ask the Secretary of State for Health in how many instances unregistered staff have performed tasks usually associated with state-registered pathologists in(a) March 1999 to March 2000, (b) March 2000 to March 2001 and (c) March 2001 to March 2002; and at which hospitals. [61453]
1444W
§ Mr. HuttonThis information is not collected by the Department. Clinical Pathology Accreditation (UK) Ltd (CPA), which is the largest accrediting body for UK pathology laboratories providing diagnostic testing for patients, does ask individual services for this information as part of its methodology.
In carrying out their inspections, CPA have encountered a very small number of cases of unregistered staff performing tasks usually associated with state-registered pathology staff. It has checked each circumstance individually before confirming the staff member's suitability to carry out their work. CPA has taken all necessary steps to ensure that patient safety is not compromised and that quality standards are maintained.
The Department is committed to ensuring that patients are properly protected and receive high quality diagnostic services, founded upon a strengthened system of state-registration in the form of the Health Professions Council (HPC), which ensures staff are suitably fit to practise.