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Last year I was walking through a small shopping area in Spalding Lincolnshire, when I happened to notice a lady sitting in a treatment chair, in a shop window.
I had to take a closer look and yes this was a "Chiropody Clinic" under a Beauticians.
I couldn't believe it. Good advertising but lacking some dignity and professionalism.
Two patients sat a few feet behind the lady separated by a bamboo screen. No doubt lots of interesting and confidential things to listen to.
The board outside stated "Qualified Chiropodist". etc.
At home I looked in the Yellow Pages, found the name of the "Qualified Chiropodist" and shock and horror...Not on the HPC Register.
A quick E-mail to the HPC was followed by a slow reply, confirming that this lady was not entitled to use the term Qualified Chiropodist.
They phoned her...
A year later and several E-mails later. (no replies to the last few)Last time we looked, she still has a sign above the shop and in the main street saying "Qualified Chiropodist". I bet there's thousands of you who have had the same experience?
HPC toothless hound. It seems to only bite it's owners?
HPC toothless hound. It seems to only bite it's owners?
I think that is a very good point .
In reality the worst the HPC can do to a registered member is strike them off ( so they continue to practice under another title)
If on the other hand the person is not registered anyway ,what are they going to do about it ??
Take them to court ?? To do what exactly?
Give them a fine of ?? to take down their sign ( but still continue to practice).
The cost of bringing a court case runs into thousands of pounds ( of our money don't forget) so how would we all feel if our fees were raised yearly to cover the cost of bringing these people to book to be fined a maximum £100 I would think and watch them laughing all the way to the bank with the free publicity ??
I think the HPC CAN only "bite it's owners" who are paying for the privilege of it doing so.:(
"Political Correctness" is a doctrine, fostered by a delusional, illogical minority, and rabidly promoted by an unscrupulous mainstream media, which holds forth the proposition that it is entirely possible to pick up a turd by the clean end
I have just emailed the HPC regarding a FHP who has placed a new advert in our local paper under the heading Chiropodists.
I have had my email acknowledged and have submitted further details but as already stated n this thread, nothing will be done.
Howver in addition to that , I have contacted the newspaper and told them that this person is breaking the law and explained why she is breaking the law. Thy are going to look into it with a view to withdrawing the advert. Maybe the HPC should issue warnings to newspapers or whoever is running the adverts- that misuse of title is illegal and that trading standards should be informed. That may hit home rather than trying to prosecute the individuals.
A couple of years ago I sent a list of those people in my location who were advertising themselves as chiropodists/ podiatrists who were not on the HPC register. I'm still awaiting a reply of any kind. Not holding my breath.
"Political Correctness" is a doctrine, fostered by a delusional, illogical minority, and rabidly promoted by an unscrupulous mainstream media, which holds forth the proposition that it is entirely possible to pick up a turd by the clean end
I think I'm goint to advertise as a Doctor. Foot Specialist with Legal training, Consultant in all things foot related. Not sure they are legally protected titles.
Better not call myself a Chiropodist or Podiatrist. It has the FULL FORCE OF THE LAW
protecting these titles!
Oh I love Cynisism (but I cannot spell it).
Off to look at the Diabetic Foot Wounds forum. Shame there's no Scratch and Sniff on the internet.
Is the HPC the problem or is it the legislative framework that it was given the problem?
I do not know the UK law, but there was a case under previous legislation in Australia, where the Registration Board could not legally act aganist those who were not registered. They could only act against those that were registered. The Board took a lot of heat for this, but there was nothing they could actually do about those who were not registered. ...even though it was illegal for them to practice and not be registered.
__________________ Craig Payne
__________________________________________________ ___________________________________ Follow me on Twitter | Run Junkie God put me on this earth to accomplish a certain number of things - right now I am so far behind, I will never die.
Is the HPC the problem or is it the legislative framework that it was given the problem?
I do not know the UK law, but there was a case under previous legislation in Australia, where the Registration Board could not legally act aganist those who were not registered. They could only act against those that were registered. The Board took a lot of heat for this, but there was nothing they could actually do about those who were not registered. ...even though it was illegal for them to practice and not be registered.
My understanding is that they can bring legal action and a fine against those using the protected titles without registration- could be wrong.
Pleeeeeze tell me you of all people hadn't just fell in to that one
We have taken it over ( gotta save the NHS money somewhere) this disciplinary thingy
Dont you feel proud to be a Partner ?
Tripod
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Better not call myself a Chiropodist or Podiatrist. It has the FULL FORCE OF THE LAW
protecting these titles
Call yourself a pox doctors clerk if it helps
BUT..
In reality all this "protection of title" is absolute Taurean Excrement that cannot be enforced by the HPC outside those that are regulated. And if struck off ....
"Political Correctness" is a doctrine, fostered by a delusional, illogical minority, and rabidly promoted by an unscrupulous mainstream media, which holds forth the proposition that it is entirely possible to pick up a turd by the clean end
Is the HPC the problem or is it the legislative framework that it was given the problem?
It is the framework.
Many asked for a General Podiatry Council to govern the profession and effectively close it.
We are left with this mess of ineffective bureaucracy
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They could only act against those that were registered. The Board took a lot of heat for this, but there was nothing they could actually do about those who were not registered. ...even though it was illegal for them to practice and not be registered
.
That is my point in reality, there is nothing the HPC can do effectively to stop these people practicing :(
But look on the bright side ,we still pay them loadsamunny to do it
"Political Correctness" is a doctrine, fostered by a delusional, illogical minority, and rabidly promoted by an unscrupulous mainstream media, which holds forth the proposition that it is entirely possible to pick up a turd by the clean end
Last edited by DTT : 7th December 2007 at 03:13 PM.
"Political Correctness" is a doctrine, fostered by a delusional, illogical minority, and rabidly promoted by an unscrupulous mainstream media, which holds forth the proposition that it is entirely possible to pick up a turd by the clean end
"Political Correctness" is a doctrine, fostered by a delusional, illogical minority, and rabidly promoted by an unscrupulous mainstream media, which holds forth the proposition that it is entirely possible to pick up a turd by the clean end
We should have united and got a general podiatry council and closed the profession when we had the chance
Surely you are talking about different things. A unified profession is one thing; but the idea for a general podiatry council (GPC) (modeled after the General Medical council - GMC) is another. The GMC is a regulatory body and not a representative body. A GPC would have nothing to do with a united profession and more to do with what the govt of the day things is the best way to protect the public (which is the function of a regulatory body). The govt version of the best way to protect the public will always be at odds with a self interested profession (which is exactly what you would expect).
I assume that the HPC has limited resources (like any publically funded body) and is expending them where they think the public interest is best served (and this is NOT necessarily the professions interest). They obviously consider the public is at greater risk from a lesbian posing in bondage gear or locking out the husband than someone calling themselves a 'chiropodist' and are not registered (after all they just need to change their name to FHP and they are doing nothing wrong!).
We obviously disagree with the HPC on this, but the HPC has to balance competing interests. Any compaints about a competitor not being registered by the HPC will be treated as such (ie a complaint from a competitor). Now if that complaint came from a member of the public who has been harmed, then that is a different matter as far as the HPC is concerned.
__________________ Craig Payne
__________________________________________________ ___________________________________ Follow me on Twitter | Run Junkie God put me on this earth to accomplish a certain number of things - right now I am so far behind, I will never die.
HPC has been a great disappointment :( After thirty years in practice HPC has not been worth the wait.
Is there any evidence of pods leaving or not renewing HPC registration? I know of one colleague not renewing. What a thought if they had no one to regulate
but the idea for a general podiatry council (GPC) (modeled after the General Medical council - GMC) is another. The GMC is a regulatory body and not a representative body. A GPC would have nothing to do with a united profession and more to do with what the govt of the day things is the best way to protect the public (which is the function of a regulatory body).
My point was if you want a GPC then the best way to get it would have been to speak with one voice , and would have had the ear / and clout with the government of the day to be effective in OUR protection and the protection of the public ( see GMC)
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I assume that the HPC has limited resources
Yes funded by the fees from the 13 professions it regulates us included
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They obviously consider the public is at greater risk from a lesbian posing in bondage gear or locking out the husband than someone calling themselves a 'chiropodist' and are not registered
Yes well in this world of politically correct bovine excrement those cases you specify are really ball breaking in the Hpc's fight to "protect the public" ???
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Any complaint's about a competitor not being registered by the HPC will be treated as such (ie a complaint from a competitor). Now if that complaint came from a member of the public who has been harmed,
Yep got it in one!!
That's why ALL these regulations /regulatory bodies are a complete waste of time.
THE ACT HAS TO BE COMMITTED BEFORE THEY TAKE ACTION.
Therefore to "protect the public" is by default a nonsense.
Perhaps to "Avenge the wrongdoer of the public "would be a better term ?
Hang em and hang em high !
Craig I just don't know where we go from here , I just feel the horse has bolted and we are now trying yet again to bolt the stable door.
Cheers
Derek
"Political Correctness" is a doctrine, fostered by a delusional, illogical minority, and rabidly promoted by an unscrupulous mainstream media, which holds forth the proposition that it is entirely possible to pick up a turd by the clean end
I think I am right when I say that there is a potential enforcement agency that would not cost the HPC any money.
It should be the Trading Standards Agency who enforce the legislation.
In the first example if the person complained about has not responded to the cease and desist notice TS could become involved.
IMO it needs, some one or some organisation to 'test' the Law. If the case fails then the legislation for the HPC is faulty? It would then be acceptable to request a change to the Orders.
The issue of a GPC is a red herring. It was never considered as a Government regulatory body but a loose association of the existing representative bodies.
The issue is Functional closure, no representative body endorses this, not even the SCP.
So we stay as we are, divided and complaining while every day a 'new' unregulated 'foot person' emerges.
Just wondering why we/you automatically think the legal challenge is the preserve of the SCP (SOCAP went with the Camden Accord 1996).
Why not the Institute or BChPA, or even the Alliance?
In my view it would have to be the SCP. Only (some) members of the SCP see FHPs (and those who are not on the register but profess to be) as a threat.
In general, the Institute, BChPA and Alliance are much more relaxed about the situation.
We all agree it shouldn't happen, but even if a solution were found ( for those who are not on the register but profess to be) do you really believe it would make one iota of difference, whether to your day-to-day practice, or to the state of UK Podiatry (PP and NHS)?
Thanks for replying, it's helping me to tot up my CPD points. Where can I learn how to do the 'quote' stuff I cannot get it to work?
In my view it would have to be the SCP. Only (some) members of the SCP see FHPs (and those who are not on the register but profess to be) as a threat.
I would have thought that for those who bothered to register with the HPC, misuse of the protected title would be a concern, threat or not.
When Pods signed up for the HPC, and lets be honest here, we are talking about the Grandparented, the SRChs were automatically transferred, 'they' achieved a long hoped for aim of 'recognition'.
Are you sure that those Pods are not upset by the advent of FHPs?
The more 'relaxed' attitude of the BChPA could be that it is intimately involved with the British Association of Foot Health Practitioners (MAFHP).
I will make no comment about the Alliance, their web site is too obscure.
The Institute IMO are in a cleft stick, no natural recruitment area, and a legacy of members who did not register. Again nothing to do with me.
This reply is far too repetitive we have been over this ground many many times.
I think we should stick to the point of the thread, 'enforcement of protection of title'.
"Political Correctness" is a doctrine, fostered by a delusional, illogical minority, and rabidly promoted by an unscrupulous mainstream media, which holds forth the proposition that it is entirely possible to pick up a turd by the clean end
I believe it was always the intention that Trading Standards were the enforcement agency, but the memory is not what it used to be.
The HPC rely on registrants to act as 'informants', we do not 'pay' enough for them to be proactive.
Do not shoot me I'm just the messenger!
So if 'We' want to take it forward it's up to us.
As an non SCP member (shame on you after I worked so hard for it to happen under your conditions) do you agree with David and are pretty casual about the protection of Title or me who listened to infuriated HPC Pods, usually unidentified?
Bob
Quick reply does not give me smilies, sorry I'm not coming to grips with this forum, must try harder and earn more points.
Last edited by R.E.G : 8th December 2007 at 05:04 AM.
Reason: wanted to add smilies
Still only a SKYPE away if you ever feel the need:)
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As an non SCP member (shame on you after I worked so hard for it to happen under your conditions) do you agree with David and are pretty casual about the protection of Title or me who listened to infuriated HPC Pods, usually unidentified?
I think we both worked hard for it to happen ? and we did it. The fact I personally didn't go forward with it ( I still have the forms here) was a different matter.
I'm not "casual" about it at all , I just don't see what we can do about it effectively and I think it's very hard on individuals to be expected to get caught up in this bureaucratic mess when we are supposed to have the all powerful HPC as regulatory body that in my view should be doing it for us ?
"Political Correctness" is a doctrine, fostered by a delusional, illogical minority, and rabidly promoted by an unscrupulous mainstream media, which holds forth the proposition that it is entirely possible to pick up a turd by the clean end
Hi All
I can see no reason why individuals cannot contact the trading standards agency, and I have in fact done this regarding the recent misleading advert in my local paper.There is no point in waiting for the HPC, even if they claim they will prosecute, a case has yet to come to fruition I believe.
From David's post, regarding the difference in attitude of the various professional bodies, it is obvious that the profession will only be consolidated when most of us are 6 feet under - by that time the grandparented will have all retired and all registered pods will have done a degree. Of course that is in theory only- by then the FHPs may become registered/regulated to practise anything except chiropody, and the HPC get loads more money than they do now. and so it goes on ....and on......
I can see no reason why individuals cannot contact the trading standards agency, and I have in fact done this regarding the recent misleading advert in my local paper
And what has happened to date ??
Have they acted ?
If so what action have they taken against the individual concerned ?
"Political Correctness" is a doctrine, fostered by a delusional, illogical minority, and rabidly promoted by an unscrupulous mainstream media, which holds forth the proposition that it is entirely possible to pick up a turd by the clean end
No outcome as yet as it has only just happened. I did end up ringing them as their online email complaints form would not deliver-an ominous sign? .Anyway, phone call was efficient, all details logged in and to be passed to the appropriate branch. I wont hold my breath for a quick fix but at least I have done something positive.
"Political Correctness" is a doctrine, fostered by a delusional, illogical minority, and rabidly promoted by an unscrupulous mainstream media, which holds forth the proposition that it is entirely possible to pick up a turd by the clean end
HPC Complaints (alternative courses of action)
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