Health Professions Council - HPC Fitness to Practise hearings
London Healthcare Solicitor
Jayesh Jotangia
jj@axiomstone.co.uk
0208 951 6989
Axiom Stone solicitors are particularly well grounded in the Healthcare Regulation sector. We have advised professionals regulated by the Healthcare Professions Council (HPC) and providers of healthcare services regulated by The Care Quality Commission. The following is a list of those professions regulated by the Healthcare Professions Council:
- Arts therapists
- Biomedical scientists
- Chiropodists / podiatrists
- Clinical scientists
- Dietitians
- Hearing aid dispensers
- Occupational therapists
- Operating department practitioners
- Orthoptists
- Paramedics
- Physiotherapists
- Practitioner psychologists
- Prosthetists / Orthotists
- Radiographers
- Speech and language therapists
- Social Workers (announcement made by the HPC on 26 July 2010)
Considering the above professions became regulated by virtue of The Health Professions Order 2001 SI, this brought into play complaint and hearing procedures. If a “fitness to practice” issue arises, a panel will be instructed to investigate the matter. Hearings are usually held in public and legal arguments are presented, after which, the panel may order a sanction. The panel have numerous powers, including the power to strike off a registrant.
We note that a lot of fitness to practise hearings are being conducted in the absence of legal representation on behalf of the HPC Registrant. This may be down to the legal costs associated with advice and representation. However, at Axiom Stone, we are flexible, so contact one of our Fitness to Practise representatives and see what we can do for you. After all, it may be worth simply taking the initiative to make that first call to us because ultimately, you would have worked hard at obtaining those necessary qualifications, so your professional title deserves protection.