Health Professions Council

From 1/7/09 the HPC will provide statutory regulation of psychologists. Psychologist ACs will have to be registered by the HPC from that date. As a transitional measure, psychologist AMHPs and BIAs can either be registered by the HPC or the pre-existing British Psychological Society. They currently regulate the following professions: arts therapists, biomedical scientists, chiropodists/podiatrists, clinical scientists, dietitians, occupational therapists, operating department practitioners, orthoptists, paramedics, physiotherapists, practitioner psychologists, prosthetists & orthotists, radiographers, speech & language therapists.

Related legislation

• Mental Health Act 1983 Approved Clinician (General) (Amendment) Directions 2009 — An amendment to Mental Health Act 1983 Approved Clinician (General) Directions 2008, in force 1/7/09, to reflect the statutory regulation of psychologists by the Health Professions Council from that date. Psychologist ACs must be registered with the HPC.
• Health Care and Associated Professions (Miscellaneous Amendments and Practitioner Psychologists) Order 2009 (Commencement No 1 and Transitional Provisions) Order of Council 2009 — Yes, that is the real name. Among other over-complicated things, transitional arrangements relating to psychologist AMHPs and BIAs come into force on 1/7/09. Until 30/6/12, they can either be chartered psychologists (registered by the BPS) or psychologists registered by the HPC. It is expected that before the end of the transitional period the legislation will be amended to refer only to those registered by the HPC.

External links

Health Professions Council website

• Approved mental health professionals, approved clinicians and best interests assessors – guidance on changes to qualifying requirements for psychologists from 1 July 2009 - "The introduction of the statutory regulation of psychologists from 1 July 2009 means that the qualifying requirements are changing for psychologists wishing to be approved mental health professionals (AMHPs) and approved clinicians (ACs) under the Mental Health Act 1983 or best interest assessors under the Mental Capacity Act 2005 deprivation of liberty safeguards (MCA DOLS). The Department of Health has issued the attached guidance note explaining the changes, which take effect from 1 July 2009." (DH website)