Question reference: S6W-17851
- Date lodged: 18 May 2023
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Current status: Answered by Michael Matheson on 31 May 2023
Question
To ask the Scottish Government what assessment it has made of the potential impact of the proposed registration fee increase by the Health and Care Professions Council on the occupational therapy workforce.
Answer
The Scottish Government has no role in setting the levels or assessing the impact on individuals of registration fees for the regulated health professions. These functions are within the statutory authority of the Councils of the independent UK regulators, including the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC). In common with the other regulatory bodies, the HCPC’s establishing legislation requires it to publicly consult as part of the process for assessing the level of fees which will enable it to carry out its statutory public protection duty.
The Scottish Government recognises the unwelcome additional burden that higher fees will place on registrants, especially during the current financial climate. However, we acknowledge that the HCPC - as a registrant-funded independent regulator – is facing the same cost pressures as other organisations.