The Health and Care Professions Council, in collaboration with the General Osteopathic Council has shared an update on the regulation of advanced levels of practice.
Published today (March 27), the update clarifies the existing position on regulation of advanced levels of practice, and how those working at or towards this level can meet the required standards across a range of job titles, sectors and settings.
By listening to professionals and professional bodies that the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) work with, this update reflects the organisation’s effective leadership.
Key elements
Emma Hyde, head of education and research at the SoR, said: “The Society and College of Radiographers welcome this guidance from the HCPC and GOC. Within the radiography community we have a long-track record of members working safely and effectively, within their scope of practice, at enhanced, advanced and consultant level practice. We underpin and support this through our Education and Career Framework, and mapping tools.”
The update focuses on three key elements:
- All HCPC and General Osteopathic Council (GOsC) registrants working at advanced levels are already fully regulated and must meet all regulatory standards relevant to their scope of practice.
- Service user safety is a shared responsibility. Registrants, regulators, employers, professional bodies, unions and others each play important and distinct roles in ensuring safety.
- The HCPC and GOsC do not set or limit the scope of practice for registrants. It is essential that registrants use their professional judgement to work within their scope to ensure safe, lawful and effective practice.
The update also sets definitions for advanced levels of practice, explains job titles at different levels of advanced practice, and explains the roles of managers and organisations in supporting registrants at advanced levels of practice.
'Unnecessary and costly'
Richard Evans, CEO of the SoR, said: “I am pleased that the HCPC and the General Osteopathic Council have issued this update. Professional regulation is at the heart of the provision of safe and progressive health and social care services. It may not be widely understood how crucial in the regulatory process the individual professional’s commitment to practice within their safe scope is.
“Experience and research shows that radiography and other allied health professionals develop their professional capabilities, including to Advanced and Consultant levels with no additional risk to patient and public safety. The SoR agrees with the HCPC and GOC that additional regulatory measures for advanced clinical practice are unnecessary and costly.”
Find out more about the update online here.
Access the SoR’s Education and Career Framework tools online here.