1. GT Training Day 2011 Update on GT Registration Fiona Coyne Regional Molecular Genetics Laboratory Liverpool

2. What is the AGTC? A ssociated A ssociated G enetic G enetic T echnologists T echnologists C ommittee C ommittee Made up of registered GTs from Molecular and Cytogenetics Made up of registered GTs from Molecular and Cytogenetics

3. Current members of AGTC Anne ReillyChair and elected ACC council member Elaine ClementsVice Chair and elected CMGS executive committee member Jake Miller Secretary and GETB rep BJ BorghmansAGTC registrar & Secretary of VRC Michelle FenlonChair of VRC Simon Cammack ACC member Newcastle Fiona CoyneNQAAP Rep

4. Your input needed The AGTC needs a GT to represent GTs on the Genetics Education Training Board The AGTC needs a GT to represent GTs on the Genetics Education Training Board(GETB) Must be: Registered Registered Member of CMGS Member of CMGS Committed to developing the GT career and training needs of GTs Committed to developing the GT career and training needs of GTs Supported by their Head of Lab Supported by their Head of Lab

5. History of GT registration 2004 - AGTC first set up by MTOs for MTOs 2004 - AGTC first set up by MTOs for MTOs 2004 - VRC is formed and is made up of 6 constituent groups of which the Genetic Technologists are the largest with approx. 70% of the members. 2004 - VRC is formed and is made up of 6 constituent groups of which the Genetic Technologists are the largest with approx. 70% of the members. 2006 - GTs are first able to join the voluntary register, now approx 170 members. 2006 - GTs are first able to join the voluntary register, now approx 170 members. Up to 2010 the AGTC had been working towards applying to the Health Professions Council for statutory registration and a protected title of Genetic Technologist. Up to 2010 the AGTC had been working towards applying to the Health Professions Council for statutory registration and a protected title of Genetic Technologist.

6. What is happening now? Since 2010 there has been a change in government and change in policy. Since 2010 there has been a change in government and change in policy. Pre election: UK Healthcare Scientists Regulation Liaison Group set up to help high risk groups move forward to statutory regulation. This group was disbanded in the run up to the election. UK Healthcare Scientists Regulation Liaison Group set up to help high risk groups move forward to statutory regulation. This group was disbanded in the run up to the election. Post election: New Government introduced the Health and Social Care Bill which states: New Government introduced the Health and Social Care Bill which states: The extension of statutory regulation to currently unregulated professional or occupational groups, such as some groups in the healthcare science workforce, will only be considered where there is a compelling case on the basis of a public safety risk and where assured voluntary registers are not considered sufficient to manage this risk. The extension of statutory regulation to currently unregulated professional or occupational groups, such as some groups in the healthcare science workforce, will only be considered where there is a compelling case on the basis of a public safety risk and where assured voluntary registers are not considered sufficient to manage this risk.

7. What is happening now? Council for Healthcare Regulatory Excellence (CHRE) Council for Healthcare Regulatory Excellence (CHRE) Currently oversees the Organisations that regulate health professionals across the UK e.g. HPC Currently oversees the Organisations that regulate health professionals across the UK e.g. HPC Have been given the new role of setting up an accreditation scheme for assured voluntary registers. Have been given the new role of setting up an accreditation scheme for assured voluntary registers. Will accredit the Voluntary Register; this means a practitioner cannot say they are CHRE accredited, but they will be able to say they are with a CHRE assured Voluntary Register. Will accredit the Voluntary Register; this means a practitioner cannot say they are CHRE accredited, but they will be able to say they are with a CHRE assured Voluntary Register. This could become a quality mark for many health professionals

8. What is happening now? VRC have been involved in several workshops with CHRE and other voluntary registers to help establish the standards VRC have been involved in several workshops with CHRE and other voluntary registers to help establish the standards Once these have been outlined the AGTC will consider if this is a suitable route to registration for GTs. Once these have been outlined the AGTC will consider if this is a suitable route to registration for GTs. At present the CHRE is working on an Accreditation Framework At present the CHRE is working on an Accreditation Framework A consultation document will be produced in advance of the scheme being introduced in July 2012. A consultation document will be produced in advance of the scheme being introduced in July 2012.

9. What is happening now? CHRE route to registration is the only option available currently. CHRE route to registration is the only option available currently. Members of the AGTC will be working on your behalf to find most suitable option for Genetic Technologists. Members of the AGTC will be working on your behalf to find most suitable option for Genetic Technologists.

10. In Summary Statutory regulation through HPC is currently not an option for GTs. Statutory regulation through HPC is currently not an option for GTs. Assured Voluntary regulation accredited by an external agency e.g. CHRE is a possibility Assured Voluntary regulation accredited by an external agency e.g. CHRE is a possibility Joining the voluntary register now as important as ever Joining the voluntary register now as important as ever

11. Useful Information http://www.CMGS.org.uk http://www.CMGS.org.uk http://www.cytogenetics.org.uk http://www.cytogenetics.org.uk http://www.vrcouncil.org http://www.vrcouncil.org http://www.chre.org.uk http://www.chre.org.uk Further Information Further Information fiona.coyne@lwh.nhs.uk fiona.coyne@lwh.nhs.uk