§ Lord Morris of Manchesterasked Her Majesty's Govern ment:
Before the Privy Council considers the Health Professions Council's proposed rules, whether they consider it satisfactory that no subsections are proposed for chiropody and podiatry; and whether they consider that in these cases profession-specific modalities of care should be distinguished; and [HL1291]
Whether they consider the Health Professions Council's proposed rules for its register, as they affect titles, should, in the case of chiropody and podiatry, allow for significant differences in the qualifications, knowledge, clinical expertise and experience of registered practitioners, so as to enable the public to differentiate between them. [HL1292]
§ Lord Hunt of Kings HeathThe aim of registration is to assure the public of the competence of healthcare professionals and, when necessary, to protect them. The Health Professions Council consulted about which titles should be protected by law and has undertaken extensive market research to understand the public's perception of titles currently in use by health professionals. The HPC's decision to propose the protection of both chiropodist and podiatrist reflect the general public perception that these titles are used interchangeably. The HPC believes that the introduction of large numbers of subsections would be confusing and unnecessary. It is for the HPC to propose and the Privy Council to determine the protected titles that will be associated with the parts and subsections of the Health Professions Register.
§ Lord Morris of Manchesterasked Her Majesty's Government:
Whether they accept that transitional entrants to the register under the Health Professions Council's proposed "three out of five years" rule should be provided with the additional training required to meet minimum proficiency within a two-year period; and what training they believe will be necessary. [HL1293]
86WA
§ Lord Hunt of Kings HeathIt is for the Health Professions Council to decide on standards for proficiency to be attained by all new entrants to the register. Training requirements may vary for individual applicants depending on their current proficiency.
§ Lord Morris of Manchesterasked Her Majesty's Government:
How the Health Professions Council's proposal for its key decision document that "even where an applicant does not meet the 'three out of five years' rule, they may still be eligible for registration" can be reconciled with the stipulation in the statutory order of a "three out of the previous five years" rule; and whether such a relaxation of the statutory order is in the public interest. [HL1294]
§ Lord Hunt of Kings HeathThe Health Professions Order is clear that an applicant may be registered under the transitional provisions in the statutory order by either satisfying the three out of five years rule or by undergoing such additional training and experience that will satisfy the council that the correct standard of proficiency for admission to the relevant part of the register has been attained.
§ Lord Morris of Manchesterasked Her Majesty's Government:
Whether, in the light of the undertakings given by Lord Hunt of Kings Heath in regard to Professional Advisory Committees on 13 December 2001 (HL Deb, col. 1526), they consider that ad hoc time-and-task-limited professional liaison groups, as proposed by the Health Professions Council, match the spirit of those undertakings. [HL1295]
§ Lord Hunt of Kings HeathOn 13 December 2001 I said that the council may set up any other committees and panels that it needs. The Health Professions Order 2001 allows the council to set up professional advisory committees to advise the council or its statutory committees on matters affecting relevant professions. It is for the HPC to decide how best to obtain the necessary advice and also the mechanism for supplying it. HPC has decided to propose professional liaison groups on the basis of widespread support obtained during consultation.
§ Lord Morris of Manchesterasked. Her Majesty's Government:
Whether, in connection with the Health Professions Council's proposed rules, they are satisfied that the statutory order's section on the transitional arrangements period is being adhered to. [HL1296]
§ Lord Hunt of Kings HeathThe Health Professions Council has published its key decisions document on its proposals which it will put before the Privy Council. There is no reason to believe that transitional arrangements within the Health Professions Order are not being adhered to.