2^nd March 2004

NEWS RELEASE

HPC's initial response to proposals for the regulation of health care staff

President of HPC Professor Norma Brook said,

"The Health Professions Council (HPC) welcomes the publication today by the Department of Health of the Consultation of Regulation of Health care staff in England and Wales.

"The Council supports the principle of extending regulation to health care staff. This will enhance the protection of the public, and will bring benefits both to healthcare staff and employers.

"We note with interest that the Department of Health's preferred option is for the HPC to regulate all staff via a new statutory committee (page 9 of the consultation document). We see this as an endorsement of the work the Council has undertaken since we were established in April 2002.

"The Council will analyse the proposal in detail and will publish its response in full."

ENDS

Rachel Tripp

Communications Officer

Health Professions Council      www.hpc-uk.org

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