The Health and Care Professions Council
The Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) is a regulatory body with the ultimate aim of the protection of the public. Established in 2001 by the Health and Social Work Professions Order, it is responsible for the professional regulation of sixteen professions, including paramedics. It exercises a number of functions in the global aim of patient protection, primarily including:
The HCPC publishes detailed guidance of the criteria and expectations of a health professional, notably in the universally applicable Standards of Conduct, Performance and Ethics, and the profession specific Standards of Proficiency, both of which must be met in order to obtain and retain professional registration. By encouraging and enforcing a minimum level of competence in its registrants, the HCPC effectively serves to protect professional reputations and the public whom they serve.
The broad strategy of the HCPC is governed by a chaired council of 12 members, positions divided equally between registrant and lay members. Topical responsibilities, such as registrant health concerns, audit, or education and training, are delegated to specified committees.
- setting standards for registered entry into a profession
- maintaining and publishing a public register of qualified professional members
- ratifying standards and curriculums for education, training and continuing professional development
- investigating and actioning complaints made against registrants
The HCPC publishes detailed guidance of the criteria and expectations of a health professional, notably in the universally applicable Standards of Conduct, Performance and Ethics, and the profession specific Standards of Proficiency, both of which must be met in order to obtain and retain professional registration. By encouraging and enforcing a minimum level of competence in its registrants, the HCPC effectively serves to protect professional reputations and the public whom they serve.
The broad strategy of the HCPC is governed by a chaired council of 12 members, positions divided equally between registrant and lay members. Topical responsibilities, such as registrant health concerns, audit, or education and training, are delegated to specified committees.