Health Professions Council meeting agenda summary

13 May 2010

This is a summary of the agenda for the Council meeting to be held on Thursday 20 May. The full agenda and papers are available on our website at:

www.hpc-uk.org/aboutus/council/councilmeetings/

A summary of decisions will be made available on the HPC's website within five working days of the meeting.

Health Professional Regulators' Register
The CHRE identified that there was variation between the regulators in terms of the information provided by the online registers. The Council will be asked to discuss the recommendations arising from the report and consider whether more information relating to suspended and struck off registrants should be made available on the online register.

Building the National Care Service
The White Paper "Building the National Care Service" included proposals for the licensing of social care workers and healthcare support workers. The Council will be asked to consider the implications of the White Paper on the HPC.

Whistleblowing Policy
At the Council meeting on 20 May 2009, the Council considered whether the HPC should provide specific advice to its registrants on whistleblowing in the workplace. The Council agreed that further research on the topic should be carried out, and that a guidance document on the issue should be drafted and submitted for the Council's consideration. The paper proposes that formal published guidance in addition to existing HPC standards and guidance is not necessary, and alternative forms of advice can be given to registrants.

Appointment of Registrant Assessors
Article 36 of the Health Professions Order 2001 ("the Order") enables the Council to appoint HPC registrants with appropriate expertise as "registrant assessors" to give advice to Practice Committees on "matters of professional practice arising in connection with any matter" which the panel is considering.

The Fitness to Practise Department is currently implementing the use of registrant assessors in the investigation of allegations. This paper sets out the policy for the appointment of registrant assessors. The power to appoint registrant assessors is delegated to the Chief Executive under the scheme of delegation, subject to "any appointments process established by the Council".

Partner Code of Conduct
Currently, work is underway to revise the contractual arrangements in place for partners. This paper invites the Council to approve a revised Code of Conduct for Partners which will make compliance with the Code of Conduct a contractual obligation.

Changes to the "absence and sickness policy" and other HR policies
Following consideration at the Finance and Resources Committee in April, Council will be invited to consider a revised "absence and sickness policy" and other small amendments to HR policies.

Annual report
The Council will consider the text for the front section of the Health Professions Council 2009-2010 annual report.

If you need any further information about the agenda, please contact Louise Hart by email at louise.hart@hpc-uk.org

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