Dear Mark,
I have replied to another thread on this issue which you will have seen.
Those who wish to argue that the law is wrong and fails to protect the
public may wish to continue I prefer to try and be more productive. Mike
Batt who views this mailbase would confirm that both CPSM reg and unreg
tried to persuade govt that the HPC bill was a mistake. I have sat
across from Ministers and officials who told us bluntly that they would
not countenance a Podiatry council. They would oppose a Private Members
bill which was drafted and had support and that the HPC and joint
regulation was their intent.
After three years of fighting we now have it. The judgement I, and all
of us, have to make is do we stand at the side while they make
regulations or do we participate. I believe we have an opportunity to
unite a regulated profession and to deal with those who wish to escape
such regulation. If the govt fails in its stated aims to regulate all
then we will have fight again and consider the resignation from the HPC
issue. I have my doubts that such a plan would be supported by the
majority who would be worried for their income, however it is a constant
claim by Bill, Akbal and others that this option exists.
If we can unite the profession we can raise standards again. Please do
not misrepresent my comments here to suggest that I am happy about this,
nor do I have a warped view because I practice surgery. I have a general
private practice and my daughter who graduated 7 years ago works there
also. I am well aware of the views of the younger profession and my aim
is to prevent them having to deal with this again in 40 years.
My experience of the grandparented group is that they want to improve
their knowledge base and feel limited by what is on offer rather than by
a choice not to learn.
In the end I have to convince my colleagues in the SCP who may choose to
resign if they do not get their way or to propose alternative motions at
the AGM. I and Council are bound by the membership and the first House
of Delegates, which I am glad you support, will have ample time to do
this as well as the full AGM.
I have just returned from the World congress of Podiatry and the FIP
consensus conference. It is clear that wherever we exist we are under
threat, nurse practitioners, more assistants, medicine, managers,
insurers. The stories alter a little but the thread remains. Some
successes (prescribing in certain Australian states, the Scottish
co-operation for surgery) and some losses. From Japan to Mexico and
Denmark to South Africa 3 countries are seen as the goal for a
profession, the UK, USA and Australia.
Here in the UK we know that we have a lot to do to achieve our aim of a
well respected, well rewarded, viable profession. Active in the NHS and
privately. I do not think we will achieve this in my career but we must
keep moving forward. I see a professional body that represents all those
individuals in foot healthcare as a central plank of that initiative,
others do not and that is the debate that must be had.
Ralph Graham
Kind Regards
Ralph Graham
Consultant Podiatrist
Witham, Essex, U.K.
-----Original Message-----
From: A group for the academic discussion of current issues in podiatry
[mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Mark Russell
Sent: 04 September 2004 09:17
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Re: The Reason of Things (Ralph Graham)
Dear Ralph,
You will have noted what I have to say in respect of the nature of my
enquiry in the post to Ray this morning. I do hope that clears up any
apprehensions you may have. It may well be that you would have preferred
me to write in a private capacity - as we have done on some occasions in
the past. But I do feel that the decision to open the doors to the
unregistered practitioner an important one, for everyone in the
profession. And in that respect I think it better if these
communications were in the public domain.
It is not my intent to cause any embarrassment or distress - as I'm sure
you understand - merely to seek clarification on the process by which
your decision was reached.
I know from previous correspondence that one of your passions is to
create a House of Delegates for the profession in the UK and I commend
that idea wholeheartedly. Such a body would prove invaluable and it
would strengthen the community immeasurably. Practitioners throughout
the country would feel less distanced than now and it could go a long
way to breaking the apathy and disenfranchisement that many suffer from
today. But if it is to work then communication would have to be
paramount. With that in mind I do hope that you will reconsider your
decision to 'shut up shop' on these issues for I think you will find
that it is not just me that is searching for guidance and answers.
Lisfrancs is a lovely topic but it only has relevance if there is a
profession there to treat it. Don't close the door on us just yet.
With best wishes, as always.
Mark Russell
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