The completion of
a series of reforms, to strengthen the focus on public protection
in the regulation of health professionals including nurses,
midwives and dentists, was announced by the Department of Health today.
These reforms mark a significant milestone in the Government’s
programme to make safety and quality paramount in the care of
patients by modernising the regulation of healthcare
professionals, as set out in the White Paper, Trust, Assurance
and Safety.
The key features of the reforms are:
Each regulator has moved to a fully appointed council, with
parity between lay and professional members, to ensure that
professional interests do not dominate;
New council members for the regulators will be independently
appointed by the Appointments Commission against specific criteria
relating to their skills and expertise;
Smaller, more board-like councils will enhance the ability of
the regulators to act strategically.
Health Minister Ann Keen said,
“Healthcare professionals work extremely hard to provide high
standards of care that patients expect. Regulatory bodies play a
vital role in maintaining these standards and ensuring that those
few professionals who fall below them are dealt with fairly and
firmly. The changes we have introduced will continue to raise
professional standards in healthcare and encourage more
transparency and high quality services for patients and the public.”
Anna van der Gaag chair of the Health Professions Council said:
“Under the new reforms to healthcare regulatory bodies we have
successfully recruited a Council with a strong mix of skills,
ability and experience drawn from all parts of the UK.”
Kathy George CBE, Nursing and Midwifery Council Chief Executive
and Registrar said:
“The changes following the White Paper enabled the NMC to
implement stream-lined strategic decision making structures. This
has enabled us to enhance our focus on safeguarding the health
and well-being of the public.”
A General Optical Council spokesperson said:
“The GOC has welcomed the Department of Health's reforms
to healthcare regulation. These reforms have reinforced the role
of patients and the public as central to everything we do, whilst
enabling fair and proportionate regulation of the optical
professions.”
Similar measures will be introduced for the newly established
General Pharmaceutical Council, which will become operational in
the next few months.
Ends
Notes to Editors
The reforms have been supported by the regulatory bodies affected:
General Chiropractic Council,General Dental Council.General
Medical Council, General Optical CouncilGeneral Osteopathic
Council,Health Professions Council and The Nursing and Midwifery
Council,
2. For media enquiries please contact the Department of Health
Press Office on 0207 210 5221
3. To view the White Paper, ‘Trust Assurance and Safety’
please visit
Trust,
assurance and safety
4. The websites of the health regulatory bodies are accessible at:
www.chre.org.uk/regulators
Contacts:
Department of Health
Phone: 020 7210 5221
NDS.DH@coi.gsi.gov.uk