Doctors.net.uk, the largest and most active network of doctors in the UK, has been appointed by the Health Professions Council (HPC) to launch a campaign to improve GP awareness of its role and to drive usage of its online register. Recent research revealed low levels of awareness, with just over a third of doctors (38 per cent) knowing about the HPC.

Established to regulate fifteen different health professions, including groups as diverse as paramedics, physiotherapists, practitioner psychologists, clinical scientists, podiatrists/chiropodists and hearing aid dispensers, the HPC is an independent, UK-wide regulator that was set up to protect the public.

The HPC provides the ability to check through its online register the credentials of 205,000 health professionals it regulates. Through its register, which is constantly updated to include all individuals that meet and maintain its professional standards of practice, the HPC plays a critical role in enabling GPs to fulfil their obligation to improving patient safety and public protection.

Set to launch in July, the Doctors.net.uk campaign aims to engage GPs and increase awareness of the HPC and its online register. It highlights the vital role GPs play in making patient referrals and, most importantly, ensures that GPs and patients are aware of the HPC when referring on to HPC regulated health professionals, as well as reinforcing the benefits of using the online register as part of patient consultations.

Ebony Gayle, media and public relations manager of the Health Professions Council said: “We are determined to increase awareness of the HPC and our online register among GPs and to explain how the HPC can assist them in their duties around patient safety.

“We currently register and regulate over 205,000 professionals from 15 different professions including chiropodists, dieticians, physiotherapists and practitioner psychologists, and it is important that referrers such as GPs are aware of the HPC so they can inform their patients about us when referring to one of the health professionals we regulate. This is part of a six month programme and, through Doctors.net.uk, we hope to engage a large proportion of GPs during this period.”

Simon Grime, head of healthcare at Doctors.net.uk, added: “GPs are key to the success of the HPC and joining forces with Doctors.net.uk will enable them to engage GPs directly with their key messages. Not only will the programme reinforce what is required of GPs and their professional obligations to patient safety and public protection, but it will also help practically, by encouraging them to use the online register as part of the referral process.”

Doctors.net.uk works with a range of public and private sector organisations, from the Department of Health and NHS bodies, to charities and medical technology companies to deliver campaigns that drive awareness, engagement and behaviour change.

For more information visit Doctors.net.uk or the Health Professions Council.

For more information:
http://www.doctors.net.uk