What is Voluntary Registration, why is it required and what is The VRC? Michelle Fenlon, Company Secretary, VRC. West Midlands Regional Genetics Department.

Regulation/Registration What does it mean? Regulation is all about protection of the public. Who needs to be regulated? All staff whose work has a direct impact on patient care are required by law to be regulated e.g. those undertaking testing, analysis and interpretation and those supporting diagnostic and therapeutic functions.

Regulation/Registration How does it work? By ensuring and recognising that staff are performing to a level that merits regulation. Benefits of registration to the professional? Registration raises the status of registered staff groups, by recognising that they are performing at a level that merits regulation.

Regulation/Registration Types of registration: Statutory regulation: backed up by law e.g. Health Professions Council (HPC), General Medical Council (GMC). Voluntary regulation: same system but without legal force; run by staff body e.g. Voluntary Registration Council (VRC), Registration Council for Clinical Physiologists (RCCP).

Regulation/Registration Our ultimate aim to achieve statutory regulation through HPC or an equivalent regulating body.

Health Professions Council –(HPC) The HPC was created in 2001 by an Act of Parliament called the ‘Health Professions Order 2001’. It is the independent UK-wide regulatory body responsible for setting and maintaining standards of professional training, performance and conduct of the 13 Health Professions that it regulates.

Health Professions Council –(HPC) HPC acts as the regulatory body for Clinical Scientists in Genetics – amongst others. Its main role as a regulatory body is to safeguard the health and well being of the people who use the services of the Health Professionals registered with them. Under new law all Health Professionals must be regulated.

Health Professions Council –(HPC) www.hpc-uk.org

Health Professions Council: 10 Criteria for Admission of New Professions The Health Professions Council will expect any group applying to it for consideration for statutory regulation to meet the following criteria: Discrete and homogenous area of activity Defined body of knowledge Evidence-based practice An established professional body An established Voluntary register Defined entry routes Independently assessed entry qualifications Standards of conduct, performance and ethics Fitness to practise procedures to enforce those standards Commitment to CPD

Health Professions Council –(HPC) Before we can achieve our goal of becoming registered with the HPC we need to belong to a voluntary register, which needs to run for at least 2 years.

Health Professions Council: 10 Criteria for Admission of New Professions The Health Professions Council will expect any group applying to it for consideration for statutory regulation to meet the following criteria: Discrete and homogenous area of activity Defined body of knowledge Evidence-based practice An established professional body An established Voluntary register Defined entry routes Independently assessed entry qualifications Standards of conduct, performance and ethics Fitness to practise procedures to enforce those standards Commitment to CPD

Brief History of VRC June 2004 - Dept of Health held a meeting with aspirant healthcare professionals to discuss future regulation. Groups in attendance: Genetic Technologists (ACC/CMGS) Cytoscreeners (NAC) Anatomical Pathology Technologists (AAPT) Retinal Screeners (BARS) Ophthalmic Science Practioners (AOSP) Critical Care Technologists (SCCT)

Brief History of VRC Based on other voluntary registration bodies. Mentored by RCCP. Pump-primed by DH. Secretariat support from Executive Business Support (EBS).

VRC VRC acts as an overarching structure with each member group running its own separate voluntary register.

Brief History of VRC VRC acts as an over arching structure. Benefits: Recognition – ‘bigger voice’ Only one limited company Use common documents e.g. code of conduct Share best practice

Brief History of VRC November 2004 – Agreement to proceed with VRC and election of chair.

Setting up VRC Selection of Council members: Executive officers: Chair – Terry Johnson (AAPT) Registrar – Gary Creed (SCCT) Treasurer – Christopher Mody (AOSP) Secretariat - EBS Company Secretary – Michelle Fenlon (ACC) Prof. Body reps – deal with registration process

Setting up VRC Selection of Council members Set up a limited company Setting up data base Keeping a register Setting registration fees to cover admin costs - £45

Brief History of VRC January 2005 – March 2006 – individual groups work on paperwork required to set up a voluntary register; VRC work with solicitor on paperwork required to set up VRC ltd. April 2006 – VRC is launched!

VRC VRC was launched on 25th April 2006. Application forms & guidance notes are available on the website. Updates and further information available: VRC Newsletter VRC Website Professional body meetings/websites BSHG Newsletter

www.vrcouncil.org

Health Professions Council: 10 Criteria for Admission of New Professions The Health Professions Council will expect any group applying to it for consideration for statutory regulation to meet the following criteria: Discrete and homogenous area of activity Defined body of knowledge Evidence-based practice An established professional body An established Voluntary register Defined entry routes Independently assessed entry qualifications Standards of conduct, performance and ethics Fitness to practise procedures to enforce those standards Commitment to CPD

VRC - Final stages Identify individual groups to progress petition to HPC. Put together petition – team approach (VRC). Delivery of petition and presentation to HPC. Decision from HPC. Acceptance by both Houses of Parliament. All VRC registrants will automatically move across to HPC.

www.vrcouncil.org