Project Lead Report - AGM Bristol 2006 (Link: Addendum 2006)

Following submission of all written evidence to the Health Professions Council in early 2005, and after our failure to present on 7th July (owing to the terrorist attacks on London), Kevin Page and I gave a 30 minute presentation to a full meeting of the Health Professions Council 13th September 2005. This presentation was not without difficulty and we were challenged on certain aspects of our application; the main concern being academic qualification and the current career pathway.

On 22nd September 2005 I was informed by the Professor Susan Hill (CSO) that our application had been successful with a caveat that we join with the current Healthcare Scientists registration cohort and formalise the VT/qualification issue. On 27th September I attended the first of several meetings with the DH in London to establish the following -

1) Protected Title

I would like to thank Sarah Parkinson and the members of the working group set up to investigate alternatives for a Protected Title for our profession. The fact that we were able to offer alternative titles carried gravitas with the DH and we now have fallback options should an ideal not be possible. However, the primary working Protected Title I have put forward for consultation is: MAXILLOFACIAL PROSTHETIST.

2) Scope of Practise

Scope of Practise must clearly outline what a Practitioner does. However, for the purpose consultation, the Scope of Practise document must also be succinct, unambiguous and afford understanding, at all levels, for those involved with consultation; colleagues, politicians, solicitors and the public. To this end, and following meetings with the DH, the Scope of Practise document has been written and re-written several times. For consultation the Scope of Practise includes the following;

“The Maxillofacial Prosthetist will, if so required, design, manufacture dental devices in the laboratory and supply such devices to Dentists”.

“Take intra-oral, intra-ocular and extra-oral impressions, as required, in the clinic or operating theatre and prepare the defect site prior to impression taking”.

3) Standards of Proficiency

The Standards of Proficiency document is generic in form but remains a detailed treatise of currently accepted expertise as healthcare professionals. This document has been drafted in line with all other professions registered under the umbrella of the HPC. The current draft of Standards of Proficiency will also go out as a part of the public consultation.

4) VT and Qualifications

The current DPS qualification + 2 years VT + the AIB has established levels of knowledge, skill and practise required of new registrants. However, no government will condone membership of a professional group as qualification to practise: this is viewed as protectionism and is not in the public interest.

IMPT Council have considered formalising the 2 year VT period into a 1 year formal Clinical Skills module, as an adjunct to the current DPS qualification. This would enable a trainee to ultimately obtain state registration and Full membership of our Institute.

FAQS: SOME ANSWERS

Dual registration? Made clear to us by the DH that this is not an option. Dual registration is confusing for patients and divisive for the public interest – i.e. which group is responsible if something goes wrong?

Why join in with aspirant Healthcare Science Groups? We are too few in numbers to act as stand alone group and this requires us to co-join with other aspirant groups to make the exercise viable. The registration procedure is multifarious, expensive and involves consultation, legal review, the Secretary of State for Health, and both house of parliament.

Can we approach the GDC again to obtain registration? No. It has been made quite clear by the CDO and CSO that the role of the Maxillofacial Prosthetist is outside the scope of the PCD initiative.

Am I Dental? The GDC Working Curricula for dental technology is patent. If you are a registered dental technician you must practise within the appropriate working curricula.

- or Maxillofacial? Should you carry out the role of a Maxillofacial Prosthetist then you should, ultimately, obtain registration as such. However, your duties may include the supply of dental devices.

Registration when? This exercise is complex and becoming more so as we proceed. We are setting a precedent by attempting something never before realised – i.e. a’ intra-oral' work outside of dentistry.

Mark Cutler FIMPT
IMPT Project Lead – Statutory Registration
May 2006

September 2006 - Addendum to Project Lead Report – 2006 AGM Report

Subsequent to the fifth report of the Shipman Enquiry, and to address concerns held by HM Government, the Department of Health (DH) launched nationwide public consultation regarding the regulation of all healthcare professionals on 14th July 2006. The consultation document is entitled:

“Healthcare professional regulation: Public consultation on proposals for change”

This consultation is currently ‘live’ and will conclude on 14th November 2006. As outlined by the DH, the purpose of this consultation, amongst a series of health profession wide initiatives, is:

“This consultation paper seeks views on the proposals put forward by the Chief Medical Officer in Good doctors, safer patients, and upon the options outlined in the parallel review of non-medical regulation”.

While no clear guidance has been put forward by the DH or the Secretary of State for Health’s Office, it must be assumed that all significant decisions, being considered by all UK Health Regulatory bodies, will be held in abeyance until the above consultation reaches conclusion. It may also be assumed that such consideration includes the registration of ‘new’ professions by UK regulatory bodies.

For more information go to web page:

www.dh.gov.uk/Consultations/LiveConsultations/fs/en

Mark Cutler FIMPT
IMPT Project Lead – Statutory Registration
September 2006