Policy & research

Our policy and research work looks at a broad range of issues across healthcare professional regulation.

The policy and research projects come from a number of sources:

1. Our work with the regulatory bodies can highlight broader issues that need further investigation and attention. For example, our work on harmonising sanctions available to regulatory bodies during fitness to practise processes.
    
2. We can be asked by the Secretary of State for Health and health ministers in Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales to look into particular issues. For example, our work on how regulatory bodies approach the quality assurance of education.
    
3. We respond to work other organisations are doing when we feel that we can add to the debate. For example, we have provided evidence for Parliamentary committees and responded to policy consultations.

In all our projects we talk to organisations and individuals who are interested in the subject, or who have particular experiences or expertise. We also try, wherever possible, to bring the views of patients and other members of the public into our project work. This can be through looking at what other organisations have said, commissioning research with patients, carers and other members of the public, talking to charities and patient groups, or through consultations and seminars.

You can find out more about our work in the following pages:

• Our projects
   
• Responses we have sent to others’ consultations and inquiries