Student fitness to practice

There could be interesting times ahead for students on paramedic courses as the Health Professions Council (HPC) launches a consultation on the most effective way of assuring student fitness to practice. Currently the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) and the General Social Care Council (GSCC) maintain voluntary registers of students studying on programmes that lead to registration with the respective registering bodies but the HPC does not have the power to register students. The Health and Social Care Bill 2011, currently before parliament, would change that position and allow the HPC to set up voluntary registers of students studying on programmes that lead to registration.

As students are in the process of developing the skills and knowledge needed to practice safely, their fitness for practice has to be measured differently to the registered professional. This is recognized by the HPC who state that student fitness to practice relates to students having the requisite health and character in order that they may practice safely and effectively once registered, and the ability to act appropriately with those they come into contact with while training (HPC, 2011). This appears to be a sensible and desirable position and, given that the NMC and GSCC already have voluntary registration for students, it would seem a logical pathway for the HPC and paramedic profession to follow. However, student registration does raise important questions and there is an opportunity for us to have our say on the matter at www.hpc-uk.org/aboutus/consultations/. This editorial picks up on just a couple of the considerations, cost and consistency, and I urge you to take a few minutes to look at what is being considered and to offer your opinion. This is important for our profession and the students who aspire to join our profession so we should have our voices heard.