It has been most interesting to view the exchange between Mark Russell
and Jason Nandlal.
I can not deny that I would hope that any policy of the SCP would have
an impact on the whole profession as SCP represents such a large
percentage of the whole. However it would not be sensible to construct
such policy around the views of those who are not members especially
those who could be but choose not to be.
SCP has to deal with the issues that confront it and its first duty must
be to protect its members, those who pay the bills and subscribe. The
govt through the DOH and the HPC has made it clear that it wishes to see
no role for all professional bodies in the approval and monitoring of
training and many other processes, such as the Care Standards Commission
where the official view is that any professional body is in conflict
with public protection.
SCP do not support this view and I believe all other professional bodies
would agree.
We therefore have to construct a plan which takes account of this
position, has an influence in training and registration, worries about
public perception and awareness, talks to govt at the highest level,
talks and influences the plans of the appointed bodies (SHOs, WDCs,
regional assemblies), promotes student applications, protects courses,
expands training, leases with potential and actual employers, insurers,
patient groups and all this with an eye to realistic subscriptions and
the load on an overworked staff.
We co-operate with other professions in the TUC, the Allied professions
forum, public services initiative, international bodies, EU, worldwide.
The national and international trade federations. We have a number of
goals which are in the plan and a number of areas where efforts must be
focussed. This focus is partly based around primary goals and partly
cost. We are in discussions with all those other organisations in the UK
who represent other podiatrists who wish to participate. Whether any
unity can be achieved is too early to say but the aim has been made
clear.
I would not wish to over simplify by suggesting that all members of the
SCP have complete agreement about policy, they do not. We have to try
and balance NHS and private practice, managers and staff, surgeons and
non-surgeons, special interest groups and generalists, everybody in and
nobody in.
In short like every professional body in every country we are a mixture
of views and ambitions that has to be carefully understood and an
attempt made to take as much of the mainstream down any policy road.
Occasionally leaders have to be prepared to be shot at and lead from the
front despite opposition when a particular issue warrant so doing. I
hope I will not be found wanting if that time arises.
One thing that no member of SCP council has to do is to justify policy
to an individual who refuses to give the rest the benefit of his
subscription. He who pays the piper calls the tune may not be how
democracy best functions but those who pay nothing may not request the
band to play.
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: 03 February 2004 20:20
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Re: Ignore if you are not a member of SOCAP
My dear Jason
I do not speak on anyone's behalf, only my own. If you have read some of
my previous writings as you claim you will surely know what 'profession
[al] stand point' I am coming from. Perhaps an evening perusing the
various discussion forums and journals - including your own [Podiatry
Now], will give some enlightenment? If your are still in some doubt, try
progressive reform for starters.
My understanding is that there are considerably more than 8,000 members
of the profession in the UK. The figure is probably nearer the 14,000
mark, but I concede I do not have an accurate figure. The 8,000 members
you refer to are members of SCP. Surely this is an oversight on your
part or are your views so parochial as not to include the thousands of
practitioners who are not members of that august body?
You also wrote; 'It is easy to be a maverick on the outside with
opinions, but much harder to give up time to lead a professional body in
its development.'
I do not doubt that being a member of council requires commitment and
dedication. We could have a long discussion about the way council
operates; how it runs professional direction on a part-time, unpaid
basis. We have these debates before and they are most entertaining. My
own views on conflict of interest within the SCP council are also well
known, but I also respect that others may hold different opinions.
But that is not the point of my enquiries. The professional direction of
the SCP through its Strategic Plan is. This brings me to your final
point. Whether I like it or not, the actions and direction of the
Society affect me directly on the occasions when I work as a
chiropodist. Its influence in the podiatry arena extends far beyond its
own membership base. The advice it renders to its members regarding NHS
policies, AfC for example, has an impact on my earnings too. The
representation and lobbying of politicians it undertakes, certainly
affects the provision of service to my patients. And just as I am not a
member of the Labour Party, and did not vote for them at the last
general election, doesn't stop me questioning them on their policies
either.
So forgive me if I continue to ask pertinent questions of the Society
regarding professional matters.
But of course, all of this is merely a distraction and as you played no
part in constructing the 'strategic plan' you cannot assist me anymore.
Myself and many other colleagues from within and out-with have been
asking these questions for the past four years. We still await a
response. Surely it cannot be a difficult or onerous task for council
members to answer simple enquiries regarding professional direction?
What else is council for?
With that in mind, I look forward to their response.
Sincerely yours
MR
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