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GOC calls for Commonality and Consistency in the approach of Healthcare Regulators
GOC calls for Commonality & Consistency in the approach of Healthcare Regulators
23 August 2005
‘More coordination, not reorganisation’ is the GOC’s message to a government review of regulation.
In its response to a ‘Call for Ideas’ from the non-medical healthcare regulation review group, the Council highlights the need for a consistent approach from healthcare regulators.
The GOC welcomes the review, but challenges the potential benefits to the public and practitioners that might result from changes in the structure, function or number of healthcare regulators.
The document identifies a number of possible improvements to current systems which could help to ensure patient safety.
Rosie Varley, GOC Chairman, said: “Improving patient protection has to be the top priority. We have real opportunities to establish better communication between the players in the UK healthcare system, and to agree common standards for regulation. A protracted and expensive process of restructuring will divert efforts away from quality improvement.”
Under changes to the Opticians Act introduced this year, the GOC has already introduced extensive reforms to strengthen patient protection.
The Council’s response outlines existing and additional measures needed to demonstrate practitioners initial and continuing fitness to practise.
Summary of other key points:
- Fitness to practise investigation and adjudication systems need greater clarity and consistency. Such systems must have the confidence of both the public and the profession.
- Specialty registers should be used to manage areas where scope of practice is widening.
- ‘New and extended roles’ which relate to competencies already regulated should be regulated by the same body, as with dental team regulation.
- Better communication between the players in the UK health system could help regulators, for example to revalidate practitioners or identify bad practice.
For further information contact:
Kate Fielding
Communications Manager
General Optical Council
41 Harley Street
London W1G 8DJ
t: 020 7307 3472
f: 020 7436 3525
m: 07763 210019
www.optical.org