2^nd March 2004

News Release

HPC welcomes two new Council members

The Health Professions Council (HPC) is pleased to announce two new members to the council. John Camp and Ros Levenson took their places at their first official Council meeting today.

The Council of the HPC is responsible for developing strategies and policies. It consists of twenty-five members: one Council member from each of the professions, twelve lay members, and a president.

John Camp practised as a barrister before being ordained as an Anglican priest. He was a psychiatric hospital chaplain for 13 years and has a qualification in forensic psychotherapy. He has held part-time judicial appointments since 1983 and currently hears appeals in immigration and asylum cases. He was Chairman of Wycombe Health Authority from 1982 to 1986 and has also served as a member of other NHS bodies, including the former Oxford Regional Health Authority and the Mental Health Act Commission. He has been honorary legal advisor to the British Medical Acupuncture Society since 1981 and is honorary clinical ethics advisor to St. Andrew's Hospital, Northampton.

John said "I am delighted to have been appointed to the HPC and hope that my varied experience in both law and health care will prove to be of value in its work".

Ros Levenson is an independent policy consultant and researcher. She has worked on a range of health and social care issues for the King's Fund and a number of voluntary organisations. Her particular interests are health inequalities and patient and public involvement. Her interest in health services issues developed during 10 years as a community health council member and she later became Director of the Greater London Association of Community Health Councils. She is a non-executive Director of Whipps Cross University Hospital NHS Trust.

Ros said "I am really looking forward to being an active lay member of the Health Professions Council. I hope I can support the work of all health professionals and ensure the public continues to expect a safe and effective service that is responsive to changing needs and expectations."

Professor Norma Brook, The President of the Council, said "We are delighted to welcome John and Ros to the Council and look forward to working with them both. They are joining us at an exciting time in HPC's development and I am sure they will have much to contribute to the Council and its Committees in due course."

ENDS

Rachel Tripp

Communications Officer

Health Professions Council      www.hpc-uk.org

rachel.tripp@hpc-uk.org           020 7840 9760

Notes to editors

1. The Health Professions Council is a new UK-wide regulator, which sets standards for twelve health professions. The HPC only registers people who meet its standards for their professional skills, behaviour and health.

2. Ros Levenson and John Camp replace Anne Foster and John Lilleyman.

3. More information about the Council, including dates of forthcoming meetings, and minutes from meetings, is available on the Council section of the HPC website here: http://www.hpc-uk.org/council/index.htm

4. Images of John Camp and Ros Levenson are available. Please contact Rachel Tripp for details.