Re: August 1,1999 International O&P License Requirement Poll
Description
Collection
Title:
Re: August 1,1999 International O&P License Requirement Poll
Date:
8/3/1999
Text:
Richard Hirons@OSSUR
03.08.99 12:00
With reference to Dan Snelson's comment, I offer the following.
In the UK it is mandatory for practitioners working in, or on behalf of the
National Health Service, to be members of a Government recognised body that has
authority to issue an effective license to practice. Practitioners then become
State Registered and their names are added to a public register. Breach of the
ethical code can result in ones name being removed from the register and
therefore ones ability to practice in the NHS. There is a formal relationship
between this body and the P&O schools and a direct involvement with the setting
of education standards.
The sole reason that this situation exists surrounds the Governments
responsibilities for issues concerning 'protection of the public'. However, we
still have a situation where people can call themselves 'prosthetists and/or
orthotists' that fail to meet the regulatory body requirements and practice
privately (outside of the NHS). This can be misleading to the public as there
may be an assumtion that the practitioners are competent. Indeed they may well
be, but they may not. So the next issue that is being persued here in the UK by
our professional body BAPO, is 'protection of title'. When this is achieved,
only people who meet the requirements of the regulatory body will be able to
call themselves 'prosthetists and/or orthotists' and will be able to practice
'prosthetics and /or orthotics'. It is for the best interests of the public.
That's what this is all about.
I don't believe without going in to this detail that comparisons between
countries can be made and suggest that some of the yes/no's on Tony's list bear
closer scrutiny.
With reference to the US Politics Consolidation debate I offer this.
Profession an occupation requiring special training
Trade the act or an instance of selling goods and services
Dictionary definitions
These are two different organisations with two different sets of agenda. In the
UK a few years ago there was a positive move to separate an administrative link
between the trade and the professional organisations. Almost six years down the
road the resulting British Association of Prosthetists and Orthotists (BAPO) and
the British Healthcare Trades Association (BHTA) have become more effective and
efficient organisations than ever before. There is a healthy relationship
between the two and most importantly recognition from Government agencies that
the two are autonomous and follow their own agenda. It makes no sense to have it
any other way (here at least).
03.08.99 12:00
With reference to Dan Snelson's comment, I offer the following.
In the UK it is mandatory for practitioners working in, or on behalf of the
National Health Service, to be members of a Government recognised body that has
authority to issue an effective license to practice. Practitioners then become
State Registered and their names are added to a public register. Breach of the
ethical code can result in ones name being removed from the register and
therefore ones ability to practice in the NHS. There is a formal relationship
between this body and the P&O schools and a direct involvement with the setting
of education standards.
The sole reason that this situation exists surrounds the Governments
responsibilities for issues concerning 'protection of the public'. However, we
still have a situation where people can call themselves 'prosthetists and/or
orthotists' that fail to meet the regulatory body requirements and practice
privately (outside of the NHS). This can be misleading to the public as there
may be an assumtion that the practitioners are competent. Indeed they may well
be, but they may not. So the next issue that is being persued here in the UK by
our professional body BAPO, is 'protection of title'. When this is achieved,
only people who meet the requirements of the regulatory body will be able to
call themselves 'prosthetists and/or orthotists' and will be able to practice
'prosthetics and /or orthotics'. It is for the best interests of the public.
That's what this is all about.
I don't believe without going in to this detail that comparisons between
countries can be made and suggest that some of the yes/no's on Tony's list bear
closer scrutiny.
With reference to the US Politics Consolidation debate I offer this.
Profession an occupation requiring special training
Trade the act or an instance of selling goods and services
Dictionary definitions
These are two different organisations with two different sets of agenda. In the
UK a few years ago there was a positive move to separate an administrative link
between the trade and the professional organisations. Almost six years down the
road the resulting British Association of Prosthetists and Orthotists (BAPO) and
the British Healthcare Trades Association (BHTA) have become more effective and
efficient organisations than ever before. There is a healthy relationship
between the two and most importantly recognition from Government agencies that
the two are autonomous and follow their own agenda. It makes no sense to have it
any other way (here at least).
Citation
“Re: August 1,1999 International O&P License Requirement Poll,” Digital Resource Foundation for Orthotics and Prosthetics, accessed November 2, 2024, https://library.drfop.org/items/show/212412.
