Key changes to the major change process

03/03/2008 - 07:00

Important information for education providers

We approve programmes of study that lead to eligibility to apply to the Register to assure individuals completing programmes meet the standards of proficiency.

An approved programme has to meet all of our standards of education and training. When programmes change we need to be sure that all of the standards continue to be met. We use the major change process to assess changes to programmes. 

We recently reviewed the major change process.  The review indicated the process could be improved to ensure that the approval and monitoring processes worked sympathetically to effectively ensure quality, but reduce the burden of work on education providers. 

The following summarises the key changes to the process:

• Increased guidance is offered on changes and how they impact on HPC standards.
• Correspondence, if appropriate, can now be used to determine programmes continue to meet the standards of education and training rather than visits.
• The process will recognise and respond more appropriately to education providers’ own cyclical validation mechanisms.

Full details of the changes have been sent to all education providers, HPC visitors and professional body contacts.

Changes will take effect from 3 March 2008