Wednesday 20 November
2013
New research commissioned by the HCPC shows that one in five 'doubted fitness
to practise' of a health or care professional
The Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) is launching new research today
which finds that a fifth of UK adults have encountered behaviour from a health
or care professional that made them doubt their fitness to practise.
More than a quarter said the health or care professional in question seriously
or persistently failed to meet standards whilst 16 per cent said they felt the
professional failed to respect the rights of a patient to make their own choices.
Thirteen per cent felt they were 'hiding mistakes' and a further nine per
cent felt they were exploiting vulnerable patients. One in twenty said
they had experienced or witnessed reckless or deliberately harmful acts.
Despite these figures, just three out of ten reported their concerns, with a
further 73 per cent of adults who would not know where to go to report
concerning behaviour.
The data, released today supports research commissioned by the HCPC earlier in
the year into what the general public feel they need protection from most.
Findings from this report show that Illegal drug taking and shoplifting
were far more likely to concern members of the public than convictions for
drink driving. Dishonesty and fraud were also key concerns for most.
Brian James, Head of Assurance and Development said:
"The vast majority of HCPC registrants practise safely and effectively and
within nationally agreed standards for professional skills and behaviour.
However, on the rare occasion that a registrant does not meet HCPC standards,
action can be taken including imposing sanctions or stopping them from
practising in the most serious of cases. After looking at the key findings in
this research it is reassuring to know that we are dealing with the issues that
the public feel they need protecting from the most."
The HCPC's 2013 annual fitness to practise report<http://www.hcpc-uk.org/publications/reports/index.asp?id=709>,
which has just been published, shows the action the HCPC is taking to protect
the public.
Anyone can contact the HCPC to raise a concern about a registrant. This
includes members of the public, employers, the police and other professionals.
The British Association of Prosthetists and Orthotists (BAPO) was established to encourage high standards of prosthetic and orthotic practice. It is committed to Continued Professional Development and education to enhance standards of prosthetic and orthotic care. BAPO is the only UK body that represents the interests of prosthetic and orthotic professionals and associate members to their employers, BAPO enjoys the support of a high majority of the profession as members.
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