Citation, commencement and extent

1. —(1) This Order may be cited as the Health and Care Professions Council (Miscellaneous Amendment) Rules Order of Council 2023 and comes into force on 9th November 2023.

(2) This Order extends to England and Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland.

Privy Council approval

2. Their Lordships, having taken the Rules contained in the Schedule to this Order into consideration, are pleased to, and do approve them.

Article 2

SCHEDULE The Health and Care Professions Council (Miscellaneous Amendment) Rules 2023

The Health and Care Professions Council makes the following Rules in exercise of the powers conferred by articles 7(1) and (2)(c), 26(3), 32(1), (2) and (4), 37(4) and (5)(i) and 41(2) of the Health Professions Order 2001.

In accordance with articles 7(1) and (3) and 41(3) of that Order, the Health and Care Professions Council has consulted the Education and Training Committee and representatives of groups of persons it considers appropriate, including representatives of the groups referred to in articles 7(3) and 41(3) of that Order.

Citation and commencement

1. These Rules may be cited as the Health and Care Professions Council (Miscellaneous Amendment) Rules 2023 and come into force on 9th November 2023.

Amendments to the Health and Care Professions Council (Registration and Fees) Rules 2003

2. —(1) The Health and Care Professions Council (Registration and Fees) Rules 2003( 2 ) are amended as follows.

(2) In rule 14 (registration fee)—

(a) in paragraph (a), for “£98.12” substitute “£116.36” ;

(b) in paragraph (b), for “£196.24” substitute “£232.72” .

(3) In rule 15 (renewal fee), for “£196.24” substitute “£232.72” .

(4) In rule 15A (readmission fee), for “£147.18” substitute “£174.54” .

(5) In rule 16 (restoration fee), for “£147.18” substitute “£174.54” .

(6) In rule 17 (scrutiny fees)—

(a) in paragraph (1), for “£68.68” substitute “£81.45” ;

(b) in paragraph (2), for “£539.65” substitute “£639.98” .

Amendments to the Health and Care Professions Council (Investigating Committee) (Procedure) Rules 2003

3. In the Health and Care Professions Council (Investigating Committee) (Procedure) Rules 2003( 3 )—

(a) omit rule 2A (emergency virtual meetings and hearings);

(b) in rule 8(1)(a) (conduct of hearing) omit “subject to rule 2A(2)(b),”;

(c) in rule 8A(3)(a) (vulnerable witnesses) for “links” substitute “conferencing facilities” ;

(d) after rule 8A (vulnerable witnesses), insert—

“ Meetings and hearings

8B. —(1) The Chair, in the case of a preliminary meeting, and the Committee, in the case of a hearing, may arrange for a meeting or hearing under these Rules to be conducted using audio or video conferencing facilities.

(2) Where a meeting or hearing uses audio or video conferencing facilities in accordance with paragraph (1), any notice sent under these Rules giving notice of the meeting or hearing must include the details of any audio or video conferencing arrangements required to access that meeting or hearing. ” .

Amendments to the Health and Care Professions Council (Conduct and Competence Committee) (Procedure) Rules 2003

4. In the Health and Care Professions Council (Conduct and Competence Committee) (Procedure) Rules 2003( 4 )—

(a) omit rule 2A (emergency virtual meetings and hearings);

(b) in rule 10(1)(a) (conduct of hearing) omit “subject to rule 2A(2)(b),”;

(c) in rule 10A(3)(a) (vulnerable witnesses) for “links” substitute “conferencing facilities” ;

(d) after rule 10A (vulnerable witnesses), insert—

“ Meetings and hearings

10B. —(1) The Committee may arrange for a meeting or hearing under these Rules to be conducted using audio or video conferencing facilities.

(2) Where a meeting or hearing uses audio or video conferencing facilities in accordance with paragraph (1), any notice sent under these Rules giving notice of the meeting or hearing must include the details of any audio or video conferencing arrangements required to access that meeting or hearing. ” ;

(e) in rule 13(10) (review of orders and applications for restoration to the register), for “2A” substitute “10B” .

Amendments to the Health and Care Professions Council (Health Committee) (Procedure) Rules 2003

5. In the Health and Care Professions Council (Health Committee) (Procedure) Rules 2003( 5 )—

(a) omit rule 2A (emergency virtual meetings and hearings);

(b) in rule 10(1)(a) (conduct of hearing) omit “subject to rule 2A(2)(b),”;

(c) in rule 10A(3)(a) (vulnerable witnesses) for “links” substitute “conferencing facilities” ;

(d) after rule 10A (vulnerable witnesses), insert—

“ Meetings and hearings

10B. —(1) The Committee may arrange for a meeting or hearing under these Rules to be conducted using audio or video conferencing facilities.

(2) Where a meeting or hearing uses audio or video conferencing facilities in accordance with paragraph (1), any notice sent under these Rules giving notice of the meeting or hearing must include the details of any audio or video conferencing arrangements required to access that meeting or hearing. ” ;

(e) in rule 13(10) (review of orders and applications for restoration to the register), for “2A” substitute “10B” .

Amendments to the Health Professions Council (Registration Appeals) Rules 2003

6. In the Health Professions Council (Registration Appeals) Rules 2003( 6 )—

(a) omit rule 2A (emergency virtual meetings and hearings);

(b) in rule 14(1) (conduct of hearing), for “Subject to rule 2A(2)(b), the” substitute “The” ;

(c) after rule 14 (conduct of hearing), insert—

“ Meetings and hearings

14A. —(1) The Chair, in the case of a preliminary meeting, and the Appeal Panel or the Council, where the Council considers an appeal itself, in the case of a hearing, may arrange for a meeting or hearing under these Rules to be conducted using audio or video conferencing facilities.

(2) Where a meeting or hearing uses audio or video conferencing facilities in accordance with paragraph (1), any notice sent under these Rules giving notice of the meeting or hearing must include the details of any audio or video conferencing arrangements required to access that meeting or hearing. ” .

Given under the seal of the Health and Care Professions Council this 25th day of August 2023.

Christine Elliott

Chair

Andrew Smith

Registrar