Today marks the launch of the Health and Care Professions Tribunal Service (HCPTS).
What is the HCPTS?
The HCPTS is the hearings service of the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC). Although not a separate organisation to the HCPC, it reinforces the role separation by providing a distinct identity to highlight that the adjudication of FTP allegations is undertaken at arm’s length from the HCPC, by independent panels.
What does the change mean?
The establishment of the HCPTS ensures a high degree of independent decision making by FTP panel members and enables transparency in the independent appointment of decision-makers.
Although the HCPTS operates in the same way, it has enhanced separation, new governance arrangements and dedicated services. Below are of some of the key features of the HCPTS.
• New Tribunal Centre – The dedicated Tribunal Centre in Kennington, South London, is fully accessible with a range of resources to facilitate the logistical and technical needs for hearing participants. The hearings rooms are equipped with video conferencing and teleconferencing facilities. A separate private video conferencing room is also available that connects to the main hearing rooms, to help facilitate the needs of vulnerable hearing participants.
• The Tribunal Advisory Committee (TAC) – The TAC is a non-statutory committee of the HCPC. The TAC’s main role is to advise the Council on the recruitment, training and assessment of Tribunal panellists, panel chairs and legal assessors. The TAC is also responsible for issuing guidance to the Tribunal on practice and procedure.
• HCPTS website – We have created a new HCPTS website with sections including: About us, Attending a hearing; Hearings and decisions; Legislation, Participant information and a Virtual tour of the Tribunal Centre.
You can view the website at
www.hcpts-uk.org
If you have any questions about the HCPTS please telephone +44 (0)808 164 3084 or email
tsteam@hcpts-uk.orgClick to expand...