David,

An interesting and probably not uncommonly held collection of thoughts.

But in practical terms, what are you suggesting ?

The ease at which the unregistered are being allowed registration is hardly
acceptable; I remember when the unregistered were given the opportunity to
register through a short practical 'test'.  It did not solve the problem of
the unregistered, this time they can simply use another title, 'a rose by
any other name ..........'

What I find most unacceptable is the claim, from certain quarters, that it`s
ok to make the concession now for the sake of the future.  This simply
avoids facing reality and condemns this and future generations to
marginalisation.  Someone has to maintain standards or the 'profession' as
we know it will cease to exist.

A stand has to be taken at some time.

Regards,

John Mason



----- Original Message -----
From: "David Wylie" <[log in to unmask]>
To: <[log in to unmask]>
Sent: Tuesday, September 21, 2004 7:44 PM
Subject: Support for Membership and Fellowship Exams


> 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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