RE-REGISTRATION FOR HOSPITAL PLAY SPECIALISTS FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Q1. I have not been able to attend five full study days during the five year period prior to notification of the date on which I am required to re-register with HPSET. Will my name be removed from the register?
A. The five days of study, or 30 hours, do not have to be taken as five formal study days. They may be taken as part days, or even hours of study, provided that the study is relevant to your current post (excluding mandatory courses). Appropriate learning activities include:
- Attending a conference or professional meeting
- Visiting another hospital department or relevant practice area
- Participating in research or audit
- Undertaking private study/distance learning
- Carrying out a literature search in order to prepare a lecture or write an article for publication
Q2. How will HPSET enforce the criteria for re-registration?
A. HPSET can only advise and encourage you to re-register. If you choose not to do so you will no longer be a ‘registered HPS’ although, at present, you may be able to continue to practice. Whilst you will retain your HPS qualification you will not be included on the database of HPS who meet the re-registration criteria and therefore will not be transferred to the HPC register if our application is successful. As time goes on it is increasingly likely, as stated below in the answer to Q7, that managers will seek to appoint HPS who are currently registered with HPSET. There can be no doubt that maintenance of a register and demonstrating continuing professional development will help to raise the profile of the profession and prepare HPS for the future, when it is anticipated that all professional bodies will be regulated.
Q3. Why has my re- registration date been brought forward?
A. The initial expiry date set for some cohorts exceeded the five year limit. These have been adjusted to protect the HPS from the risk or consequences of their registration lapsing inadvertently.
Q4. How and when do I get the documents required to re-register?
A. The invitation and relevant documentation is generated and sent out by HPSET approximately 12 weeks before the expiry date of the current period of registration, in accordance with the details held on the HPSET database.
Q5. I am planning to retire during the next five years. Do I need to re-register and, if so, am I entitled to a reduction in the £50 fee?
A. It is strongly recommended that you re-register so that you can demonstrate evidence of continuing education whilst still in practice. It will also enable you to exercise a choice with regard to retirement – for example in three years time your circumstances might have changed and you may decide to continue to practice for another year or more. There will not be any reduction in the fee for HPS who wish to retire or cease to practice during any five year period. This is because the costs to HPSET are incurred at the beginning of the five year registration period, for example in notifying HPS and auditing profiles.
Q6. I intend to take some time out from practising as an HPS (e.g. to bring up a family) – do I need to re-register?
A. It is recommended that you re-register now if you meet the criteria to do so. This will enable you to return to practice at any time during the next five years. It is suggested that you keep up to date by reading relevant journals and maintain your professional development portfolio, as this will be useful for when you do return to practice.
Q7. How will my current employment be affected if I do not re-register i.e. will my manager be notified that I am not registered with HPSET?
A. HPSET is not a statutory body and, at present, your employment status may not be affected. This situation may, however, change in the future as we are currently preparing an application to join the Health Professions Council (HPC) who will regulate the profession. In some NHS Trusts it is already policy to employ only those HPS who are registered with HPSET and any manager can contact HPSET to verify whether an HPS is currently registered. The growing emphasis on quality in the Health Service, and the Clinical Governance Agenda, supports the trend towards continuing professional development for all healthcare staff. Managers are increasingly seeking assurance that employees are registered with the appropriate registration body.
Q8. How will my £50 re-registration fee be spent?
A. A proportion of the £50 fee will be used to administer the system i.e. to maintain the database of over 2000 HPS and to send out notification and confirmation letters with regard to re-registration. In addition the fee will assist HPSET to:
- Conduct an audit of a 10% sample of HPS profiles annually
- Promote knowledge and awareness of the re-registration process to both HPS and other relevant healthcare professionals Now that the system is fully operational HPS on the current register will be able to receive information from HPSET such as notification of conferences and availability of new courses.
Q9. What will happen if I do not submit my profile, if requested to do so, for audit purposes?
A. Each year a 10% sample of HPS will be asked to submit their profile for audit. Failure to return your profile will mean that your registration with HPSET will be lapsed
Q10. What will happen if my profile does not meet the criteria set by HPSET?
A. HPSET will offer individual advice and assistance to any HPS whose profile does not initially meet the defined criteria. If, however, a profile remains unsatisfactory i.e. does not demonstrate evidence of meeting the standard with regard to continuing education, then re-registration will be deferred pending receipt of an acceptable profile within a designated time frame.
Q11. I am currently working but my job title is not ‘HPS’ can I still re-register?
A HPSET are aware that job roles do not always match job titles, also HPS knowledge and skills can be fundamental requirements for career progression, (e.g. teaching/ management positions). Individual guidance will be provided to you in order that the re-registration criteria may be satisfied.
Q12. I wish to return to work but my registration has lapsed, am I able to re-register?
A. A ‘break in practice’ is defined as a period of five years or more, during which the minimum number of hours of practice have not been completed and at the end of which, registration with HPSET has not been renewed. Individual requirements to be met to satisfy re-registration criteria will be assessed following completion of an audit profile. An interview and /or submission of a portfolio may be required.
Q13. I have continued to practice but my period of registration has lapsed, how do I apply to be re-registered?
A. Application for re-registration should be sent to the Administrator. Individual requirements to be met to satisfy re-registration criteria will be assessed following completion of an audit profile. In some situations an interview and /or submission of a portfolio may be required. The fee is still £50 but the expiry date of the period of registration will be brought back into line with that of your original cohort.
Q14. What happens if my registration has been lapsed for two or more five year periods, can I still be re-registered?
A. In such situations, as in Q12 and Q13, individual assessment of requirements to be met will be determined on receipt of a completed profile form. You will also be required to satisfy HPSET that you meet the criteria for re-instatement at a formal interview (viva), part of which will include presentation of your Portfolio. The fee of £50.00 will be payable for EACH five year period and the expiry date of the new period will be brought back into line with that of your original cohort.
Q15. Why should I sign the Code of Professional Conduct?
A. As part of the criteria for application to join the Health Professions Council (HPC) there has to be a Code of Conduct in place. This was reviewed and amended and since 2005 all new registrants have been required to sign it. All HPS re-registering are now required to do likewise.
Q16. Is it true that I need to re-register in order to supervise a learner on the HPS course at college?
A. Yes, all learners are required to be supervised by a currently registered and practising HPS as part of the training programme. If their workplace supervisor does not meet this criteria the learner will be required to complete an additional placement.
Q17. Can you define ‘good health’ in relation to the self declaration I am being asked to sign?
A. Yes, ‘good health’ means that the person should be capable of safe and effective practice without supervision, it does not mean the absence of any disability or health condition.
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The HPSET Professional Development Portfolio can be obtained by sending a cheque for £13.50, made payable to HPSET, to the address below.
The Administrator HPSET PO Box 1153 Postwick Norwich NR13 5WQ