Dear all,

I have, for many years, privately held the view that MChS and FChS should be
awarded by examination. From time to time I have expressed that view
publicly in discussion, and have not yet had an overwhelming negative
response.

I appreciate the concerns that may tend towards reluctance including the
over-examination of qualifying students from Universities, however I feel
that these would be more than compensated for by the sense of achievement in
attaining not simply the minimum qualifications for registration as a
practitioner, but that standard deemed appropriate by one's peers as
rendering one eligible for Membership and Fellowship of the Professional
Body.

I believe other professions operate similar (I concede not identical)
schemes, including:

Medicine
Accountancy
Law
Architecture
Engineering

There is a real balance to be found that is not easy between two seemingly
competing agenda - that of inclusivism on the one hand versus quality
assurance and governance on the other. I fear that we may be in danger of
imploding unless this balance is carefully thought through. On the one hand,
we need to recognise that EVERY closed profession has had to deal with
grandfathering at some point in its history. The generation of practitioners
for each profession that has had to do so requires the altruism to recognise
that the sacrifices made by them will benefit every future generation - even
if, in the short term there seem to be some losses at the time. Equally,
there is no virtue in dumbing a profession down to the point where
"qualifications" are meaningless. Registration is one issue. Membership of
the professional body is another. We must not confuse the two. If we set the
bar high - we will raise standards. If we set it TOO high we will ostricise
the majority of potential members. If we do not set the bar at all, we run
the risk of doing exactly the same thing.

The wisdom of Solomon, Plato and Aristotle together seems to be required.

I wish the decision makers well.

D

David A Wylie
Head of Podiatric Services
Department of Podiatry
Southern General Hospital
1345 Govan Road
Glasgow
G51 4TF

T: 0141 201 1722
F: 0141 201 1722
E: [log in to unmask]



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