Today we launch a consultation on a revised threshold level of qualification for entry to the Register (known as SET 1) for Operating Department Practitioners (ODPs).
We encourage all of our registrants as well as students, education providers, professional bodies, employers and trade unions to help and provide input on this proposal.
About the consultation
The first of the standards of education and training (‘SET 1’) sets out the threshold level of qualification normally required for entry to the Register for each of the professions we regulate. SET 1 does this by specifying types of academic awards.
The threshold change is an amendment to SET 1 (the first Standard of Education and Training), so it only affects education and training programmes, not individuals. This means that anyone currently on the Register or an approved programme would not have to requalify.
The HCPC considers whether the entry threshold should be adjusted on a profession by profession basis, taking several factors into account when making a decision. This was most recently done in 2017 when we proposed increasing SET 1 for paramedics.
Increasing the threshold for SET1 for ODPs is not a new matter and has been raised by the HCPC, professional bodies and the Council of Deans of Health since 2013. Our stakeholder engagements have highlighted the increasing advanced practise within the ODP profession and the growth of their roles. We receive a significant number of enquiries from ODP registrants about their expanding scope of practise and have also seen ODPs being asked to perform a wide range of tasks during the response to COVID-19.
This consultation proposes that the level set for SET 1 for ODPs should be changed from the current level of Diploma of Higher Education to Degree level. In preparing for this consultation, the HCPC has already had engagements with ODP professional bodies, education providers and other stakeholders. For more detailed information about our consultation, refer to the consultation document below.
Getting involved
Submit your feedback through our easy to use online survey, by emailing our policy team or by posting your responses.
Find out more on our cosultation page
The consultation will run from 25 January 2021 to 26 April 2021 however we will keep this consultation period under review, taking into consideration any impact of COVID-19.
For more information, visit the consultation page or email consultation@hcpc-uk.org.
