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Registration Update
GT Training Day
Bristol 20 November 2014
Professional Regulation
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Set standards of professional qualifications and standards
of practice
Keep a Register of qualified persons
Award titles
Determine the conduct of registrants
Investigate complaints
Apply disciplinary sanctions for professional misconduct.
The sole purpose of Professional Regulation is to assure the
quality of professional services in the public interest.
History
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2004
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2006
2007
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2008
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2010
A review of regulation of non-medical professionals by the then
Secretary of State
Formation of the Voluntary Registration Council (VRC)
Formation of Associated Genetic Technologist Committee
(AGTC)
VRC opens it register to Genetic Technologists
The Government publishes a White Paper ‘Trust, Assurance
and Safety – the Regulation of Health Professionals in the 21st
Century’ which identifies healthcare scientists as a priority
group for future regulation
The four UK health departments publish a consultation
document looking at the future of the healthcare science
workforce
The four UK health departments confirm that they remained
committed to regulation
History
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2011
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2012
The Coalition Government publish a Command Paper
‘Enabling Excellence’, which sets out the new policy on
professional regulation. The paper outlines a system of
‘assured voluntary registration’ and says that in the future
statutory regulation will only be considered where there is
a ‘compelling case’ and where ‘voluntary registers are not
considered sufficient to manage this risk’.
The Professional Standards Authority for Health and
Social Care (PSA) is launched. Its role and duties are set
out in the Health and Social Care Act 2012.
Launch of the Academy for Healthcare Science (AHCS)
Academy for Healthcare
Science
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The Academy for Healthcare Science is the overarching body for the whole of the Healthcare Science
Profession, working alongside the professional bodies.
Aim to ensure that Healthcare Science is recognised and respected as one of the key clinical
professions in the health and care system, this includes working towards statutory regulation of all our
staff groups to ensure protection for the patients we serve.
The AHCS was established as a joint initiative of the UK Health Departments and the professional
bodies. The AHCS has been commissioned to undertake and support several key projects including:
Development of consistent regulation for the healthcare science workforce e.g. by establishing
accredited voluntary registers where none exist.
Implementation of a system to assess and confer ‘equivalence’ of the existing qualifications and
experience individuals have, mapped to the outcomes of formalised quality assured training
programmes.
Quality assure education and training in partnership with other stakeholders.
Develop common standards for healthcare science practice.
History
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2013
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2014
VRC engages with PSA and AHCS while investigating the
best mechanism of achieving an Accredited Voluntary
Register (AVR)
VRC consults with members on best approach to
achieving AVR
Minimal response to consultation but all agree
1 September 2014 VRC closed its register
All VRC registrants transferred to the AHCS Register
AHCS applies for Accreditation of its Voluntary Register with PSA.
This process is ongoing.
Academy for Healthcare
Science
What does this mean for active
registrants?
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Data has been transferred to the new register. No action required.
Current renewal period is open and CPD audit underway.
Renewal form contains slightly different information than in previous
years. Complete the form and submit the fee, fee reflects the cost
associated with accreditation of the register.
http://www.ahcs.ac.uk/2012/12/good-scientific-practice/
Adoption of Good Scientific Practice to replace the VRC standards of
performance, conduct and ethics.
Remain registered against the Genetic Technologist Standards of
Proficiency, therefore still working as Genetic Technologists under the
AHCS register.
No need to supply any further information in order to maintain your
registration.
What does this mean for new
registrants?
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VRC are no longer accepting applications.
Applications for registration as a Genetic Technologist must now be
made to the AHCS.
This is a two step process:
Apply for a certificate of competence
Apply for registration
NOT the same process as application for ‘direct entry’ via Practitioner
route.
What’s next?
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Make a case for statutory regulation
and/or
Maintain an accredited voluntary register
The sole purpose of Professional Regulation is to assure the quality of
professional services in the public interest.
For further details:
http://www.ahcs.ac.uk
http://www.professionalstandards.org.uk/voluntary-registers