Registrar’s Update August 2016

August 2016

Technologist registration – hot topic at IPEM’s Annual Conference (MPEC)

This conference is held every year and this year it’s in Manchester from 12 – 14 September. There is a technologist skills session from 14.45 – 15.45 on Monday 12 September. The session is called ‘Registration – the best way to recognise technologists’ skills?’ and Elaine Buckley, Chair of the HCPC, Registrar of the RCT, Andy Mosson, plus a representative from the PSA will be attending to talk about registration. We expect this to be an extremely interesting session for all technologists, whether they are registered on the RCT or not, as they will all have a view about whether technologists should be registered at all, and if so, whether with this should be with the HCPC. The session is a chance for them to hear from, and debate with, the key people from the RCT, the HCPC and the PSA, all in one room. You can find full details of the programme here: http://www.ipem.ac.uk/ConferencesEvents/MPEC.aspx. If you are attending the conference, be sure to attend this session! (Sorry, places on this free members’ day are fully booked!).

Save money on tax

IPEM appears on ‘list 3’ (the list of professional bodies approved for tax relief on subscriptions and professional fees) and, therefore, RCT registrants can claim tax relief on their RCT subscriptions under the IPEM banner if they meet the required criteria set out by HMRC.Tax logo

 

Andy Iles stepping down from post 

One of the longest serving members of the Management Panel and the current Assistant Registrar, Andy Iles has recently stepped down from his post after his retirement. We would like to sincerely thank him for all of his hard work and dedication to the role over the many years he has worked with us.  Taking over the role of Assistant Registrar is Iain Threlkeld, who has been an IHEEM representative member on the Management Panel and one of the main contributors to the development of the Equivalence Routes. We will be seeking a new IHEEM rep to replace Iain.IHEEM

PSA Re-Accreditation

The RCT’s Professional Standards Authority accreditation is due for renewal and the application has recently been submitted. The re-accreditation process should be complete in September. We will inform you of the outcome of the assessment as soon as possible.

In other news, the PSA has welcomed a new Chair, George Jenkins OBE, who replaces Baroness Jill Pitkeathley, who has recently stepped down after eight years in post.

Reform of Health Regulators – Minister’s statement

Former Junior Health Minister Ben Gummer MP said in December 2015: ‘The Government remains committed to reform of the regulation of health and (in England) social care professionals. The Government is grateful for the work of the Law Commissions of England and Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland in making recommendations and has been considering how best to take these forward.

Our priorities for reform in this area are better regulation, autonomy and cost-effectiveness while maintaining and improving our focus on public protection. We intend to consult on how these priorities can be taken forward, taking account of the Law Commissions’ work on simplification and consistency and building on the Professional Standards Authority for Health and Social Care’s paper Rethinking regulation published in August 2015. We will present proposals that give the regulators the flexibility they need to respond to new challenges in the future without the need for further primary legislation.

We recognise the need for some immediate reform in this area. Subject to Parliamentary time we plan to take forward reforms to regulators’ rule-making process and the way that the larger regulators deal with concerns about their registrants. This will improve accountability and make the system more efficient and effective. This Government remains committed to the principle of proportionate regulation of healthcare professionals in this regard.’

The Impact of Brexit

The Professional Standards Authority has recently advised that due to the impact of the Brexit vote, the work on legislative reform of healthcare regulation, and the potential inclusion of new professions, may not be seen as a priority and may therefore not proceed at this time. Further discussions will take place between the RCT, PSA and other involved parties to try and push forward with this issue.Brexit logo

CPD Audit

The CPD audit has now been completed, with 23 registrants being requested to re-submit their return due to an unsatisfactory first submission. The final results are currently being analysed; however while there are no sanctions this time for those who do not submit or who fail to pass their audit; this will not be the case from next year. Please keep an eye on the RCT website for further updates.CPD logo

RCT Leaflet, poster & certificate

A new RCT leaflet has now been launched which aims to inform patients and increase the public awareness of the Register.  Promoting the valuable work of registrants and the standards which you have met is vital for public protection.  We would encourage you to request copies for display in your department by emailing enquiries@therct.org.uk.

In addition to the leaflets we have had a poster and Departmental certificate designed to display alongside them. These can also be requested by email at the above address.

RCT information for patients and the public leaflet_Page_1

Andy Mosson

The RCT Registrar


The Register of Clinical Technologists