Nicola Wheater

I’ve Received Social Work England’s Case Investigation Report. What Do I Do Next?

For social workers already in receipt of a Fitness to Practise notification letter from Social Work England (“SWE”), the next step in the process; aside from potentially being referred to an Interim Orders Hearing (see here: https://www.mysocialworknews.com/article/help-i-ve-been-referred-for-an-interim-order-what-does-this-mean) is receiving the case investigation report and bundle of accompanying documents from SWE. Once in receipt of these …

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Extending Independent Prescribing – The Regulatory Gift That Keeps Giving?

As of 31 December 2023, certain registered healthcare practitioners with independent prescribing qualifications will now be able to prescribe stipulated controlled drugs in a prescribed manner. This follows the implementation of the Misuse of Drugs (England and Wales and Scotland) (Amendment) (No.2) Regulations 2023 (“Regulations”) which amends the Misuse of Drugs Act 1971 (“Act”), the …

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New Prescribing Powers For Independent Prescribers

As of 31 December 2023, paramedics and other stipulated healthcare practitioners (see below) will be able to prescribe specified controlled drugs. The new Misuse of Drugs (England and Wales and Scotland) (Amendment) (No.2) Regulations 2023 will amend the former Misuse of Drugs Act 1971 and the Misuse of Drugs Regulations 2001 permitting: Podiatrist independent prescribers, …

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Professional Discipline: New GMC Legislation To Be Laid This Week

As readers will be aware, the rumbling news story within the area of professional discipline has been the regulation of Physician Associates (“PAs”) and Anaesthesia Associates (“AAs”) by the General Medical Council (“GMC”). As already covered on our website, the British Medical Association (“BMA”) has raised concerns regarding the similarity of title(s) with doctors, the …

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Supported Accommodation For 16 And 17 Year Olds And The Requirement To Register With Ofsted

As of 28 October 2023, providers in England wishing to provide supported accommodation for looked-after children and care leavers aged 16 and 17 years of age (“Care Leavers”) are required to register with Ofsted and become subject to inspection, and regulation, in connection with Ofsted’s new quality standards. As Ofsted registration is a new requirement …

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HCPC’s Revised Standards Of Conduct, Performance And Ethics

As Health and Care Professions Council (“HCPC”) registrants will be aware, the HCPC have revised their ‘Standards of Conduct, Performance and Ethics’ (“Standards”) and the revised Standards will come into effect on 1 September 2024. This follows on from the HCPC’s recent revision of the ‘Standards of Proficiency’ which took effect on 1 September 2023. …

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BMA Calls For Physician Associates To Be Regulated By HCPC

The British Medical Association (“BMA”) has called for the Health and Care Professions Council (“HCPC”) to regulate physician associates, rather than the General Medical Council (“GMC”) and for physician associates to be renamed ‘physician assistants’. This stance follows concerns raised by doctors regarding the lack of distinction between the role of a physician associate (“PA”) …

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Mandated Professional Registration For Adult Social Care Workers?

Care England has released its latest publication ‘Care for our future – the roadmap to a sustainable future for adult social care’’ which sets out an adult social care roadmap focusing on workforce, funding and integration. The publication issues a series of policy recommendations for the next Government to implement within 100 days, 2 years …

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A change afoot for self-employed healthcare practitioners and enhanced DBS checks?

Safeguarding all patients, including children and vulnerable adults, is of paramount importance. Accordingly, all registered healthcare practitioners accept that they will be subject to Disclosure and Barring Service (“DBS”) checks, usually enhanced or enhanced with barred list checks, when employed or contracting with certain organisations. This not only provides the required assurances to those employing …

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Pharmacists To Play A Critical Role In Vaccination Delivery

The Health and Social Care Committee (“HSCC”) have recommended that pharmacists play a ‘critical role’ in the delivery of vaccinations within the UK to improve vaccination access. Whilst agreeing with the Director of Market Access and Policy Affairs of Moderna, Stuart Carroll that pharmacists ‘deliver a significant number of vaccines already’, the HSCC agreed that …

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