Interesting comments but still Machiavellian Ralph! However, nice to see
you replying on this site despite your claim only 6 days ago that you would
only deal with academic subjects here. Obviously, another Ralph Graham
'confusion pirouette' (you taught me that one, and cited it as an excellent
way of avoiding difficult questions)!
You really must not misquote or quote out of context. I did not state that
resignation from the HPC would be supported by the entire professional body.
What I did state, and did so in writing in your journal, was that we should
never have entertained the idea of entry in the first place. The
opportunity for creating a General Podiatric Council was missed, and despite
your claims to the contrary, The Society at the time supported the idea of
HPC registration to the extent of holding a plebiscite with highly loaded
questions and then claiming that the result supported the Society policy of
the profession entering the HPC. Despite the appeals of myself and others,
no alternative was seriously considered.
I have consistently stated that a General Podiatry Council could be set up
and stand outwith the HPC, and that this is the only way of gaining the
consensus of ALL the Chiropody/Podiatry bodies. Once that is running, then
consideration could be given to other issues, such as testing the feelings
of the registrants with regard to withdrawal from the HPC. This of course,
would require political support and might not be possible until a change of
government took place, since the profession would effectively - and
properly - be self governing. However, this seems to be to be a more
logical and realistic way forward than the unworkable concept that the
Society of Chiropodists and Podiatrists should be the only professional body
and should be all things to all men (and women). Perhaps you could
enlighten us with the details of your 'House of Representative's concept?
Is this my HPC by any other name, or is it another Society only theocracy?
All the best
Bill Liggins
----- Original Message -----
From: "Ralph Graham" <[log in to unmask]>
To: <[log in to unmask]>
Sent: Sunday, September 05, 2004 11:01 AM
Subject: Re: The Reason of Things (Ralph Graham)
> 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
>
> -----------------------------------------------------------------
> This message was distributed by the Podiatry JISCmail list server
>
> All opinions and assertions contained in this message are those of the
> original author. The listowner(s) and the JISCmail service take no
> responsibility for the content.
>
> to leave the Podiatry email list send a message containing the text
> leave podiatry to [log in to unmask]
>
> Please visit http://www.jiscmail.ac.uk for any further information
> -----------------------------------------------------------------
>
> -----------------------------------------------------------------
> This message was distributed by the Podiatry JISCmail list server
>
> All opinions and assertions contained in this message are those of
> the original author. The listowner(s) and the JISCmail service take
> no responsibility for the content.
>
> to leave the Podiatry email list send a message containing the text
> leave podiatry
> to [log in to unmask]
>
> Please visit http://www.jiscmail.ac.uk for any further information
> -----------------------------------------------------------------
>
-----------------------------------------------------------------
This message was distributed by the Podiatry JISCmail list server
All opinions and assertions contained in this message are those of
the original author. The listowner(s) and the JISCmail service take
no responsibility for the content.
to leave the Podiatry email list send a message containing the text
leave podiatry
to [log in to unmask]
Please visit http://www.jiscmail.ac.uk for any further information
-----------------------------------------------------------------
|
