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Although the 30 April deadline for HPC reregistration has now passed some registrants are now being audited against the HPC's Standards for CPD.

Background

This is the first time a percentage of physiotherapy registrants (2.5%) have been audited. Many profiles from the physiotherapy registrants included in the audit sample have already been received. Some have already been through the process of being considered by assessors.

Those received close to the 30 April deadline will be going through this over the coming weeks. We have been advised that the average processing time for profiles is 8 to 12 weeks.

During the period that an individual registrant's submission is awaiting assessment or is being considered after resubmission, registration is unaffected (so long as the HPC has received his/her renewal forms and payment).

HPC role

The HPC gives clear guidance on its criteria and process that apply to the CPD audit. It advises what happens if it has not received a requested profile by the deadline, and what registrants should do if their profile is returned because it only partially meets the standards, if it is deemed not to meet the standards. Guidance extends to situations where a registrant may wish to appeal against an HPC decision that could lead to removal from the Register.

The role of the HPC is to regulate and to fulfil its public protection role. It introduced its CPD standards and requirement that all registrants undertake CPD in 2006. All health professionals registered with the HPC and practising in the UK are required to go through the HPC registration renewal every two years, with this process now including the requirement to supply a profile on request to demonstrate fulfilment of the CPD standards (tested through the sample audit).

HPC standards state that all registrants must maintain a continuous, up-to-date and accurate record of their CPD activities. The HPC seeks to ensure that a registrant's CPD has contributed to the quality of practice, service delivery and benefits the service user. All registrants are expected to be able to demonstrate that their CPD is a mixture of learning activities relevant to current or future practice.

CPD audit process

Members selected for audit are encouraged intially to see relevant information on the HPC website and watch the HPC's audiovisual presentation for further guidance and tips.

All HPC registrants must write the required documentation themselves and if selected you are expected to:

• Send a profile explaining how your CPD meets HPC standards
• Provide evidence of having undertaken the CPD described

The main parts of the CPD profile are:

• A summary of practice history for the last two years (up to 500 words)
• A statement of how you have met the HPC standards of CPD (up to 1,500 words)
• Evidence to support your statement

What qualifies as CPD?

The HPC defines CPD as 'a range of learning activities through which health professionals maintain and develop throughout their career to ensure they retain their capacity to practise safely, effectively and legally within their evolving scope of practice'.

CPD includes:

• Self-directed learning
• Courses
• Reading professional journals
• Professional activities such as active involvement in a clinical interest or occupational group
• Case studies
• Networking
• Clinical audit and reflective practice

In their day-to day work, physiotherapists often undertake CPD without realising it. For more examples, see the HPC website.

Tips for success

1. Identify any relevant CPD documentation
2. Develop a log or table of your CPD, noting the type of learning and which HPC standards it fulfils, ie 3 or 4
3. Record your evidence in a way that suits you best, eg paper folder, e-Portfolio
4. Continue to record your CPD little and often
5. Demonstrate how you reflect on your learning
6. Select a variety of evidence examples to show how you have learned in different ways and how they have had an impact on your practice

What you need to know

• The average processing time for submitted profiles is 8-12 weeks
• The HPC processes profiles in the order they are received
• Reminders are sent if the HPC does not hear from you after two months
• A further reminder is sent, but if by the end of the registration period the HPC has not received your profile, your name may be removed from the register
• In certain circumstances audits may be deferred until the next registration (full details on the HPC website)
• Profiles are assessed by panels of two health professionals, one of whom is a physiotherapist. If profiles fail, the registrant is given up to three months, then asked for more information

Further information

• The CPD process (PD009)
• Keeping a portfolio (PD010)
• The CSP's CPD policy statement
• Eportfolio (PebblePad)
• The HPC standards for CPD (PD011)

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