19 April 2011
The Health Professions Council (HPC) has launched a consultation on proposed changes to the ‘Guidance on health and character’. These changes are a result of the HPC’s decision to remove the health reference requirement linked to registration and to change the way in which it considers information provided by registrants through self-referral.
Changes to the guidance document are now required to explain the principles of self-declarations of health and associated issues for applicants and registrants to consider.
Michael Guthrie, Director of Policy and Standards commented;
“The HPC is inviting stakeholders to respond to the consultation on updating the guidance on health and character”
“The consultation, which will run from 11 April until 1 July 2011, will put the proposed guidance before a wide range of stakeholders, professional bodies and others with an interest in our work.”
A registrant makes a ‘self-referral’ when they give us information about their conduct or competence at any other time than during the registration application or renewal process. The HPC recently changed the way we handle self-referrals to reduce delays and ensure decisions are made fairly. Changes to the guidance are needed to explain how self-referrals are now considered.