Thanks for the responsers so far and particularly to Isabel for spelling out
some of the ramifications of this. I intend to respond to this fait accompli in
due course via the letters pages of CILIP Update (assuming it is accepted for
publication) but I need to add a couple of points here 'from the other side', ie
from the point of view of the noncormformist. First, this is probably the world's
best kept secret. Considering this was discussed and agreed in principle at
CILIP Council in May 2008 and I found out about it, by chance, a week ago. I
wonder how many other members of CILIP are actually aware of this? It was
buried in the Council report on pages 20-21 of CILIP Update (July/August
2008) under the dubious subheading 'Light touch' revalidation. How many
members then spotted the words 'but mandatory revalidation' in a subsequent
paragraph? I know I didn't. So not much of a 'conversation' there then.
Secondly, I recognise that professional regulatory bodies insist on mandatory
CPD (GMC, GDC, Law Society etc). However, no one seems to question the
validity of the practise of CPD as a verifiable concept. If Shipman was able to
kill 200+ patients without being detected, how easy is it to fake CPD? More to
the point, what, exactly, does CPD compulsory or otherwsie prove? That
professionals are doing what, as professionals, they do anyway. I know I do,
what is in effect CPD, every day, in the form of good practice.
Thirdly, let's immediately quash this nonsense about 'light touch'. This is a joke
and a very poor joke at that. No right minded professional organisation will be
satisfied with a so-called 'light touch' procedure or at least not for long. So
you read it hear first, light touch will become heavy touch, the full-on version
before too long. Light touch simply means nothing. I would rather we, as
librarians, weren't patronised with a half-baked version and given the two
options full compulsory CPD (just like doctors, dentists and lawyers) or quit
CILIP. This at least would be a more honest approach.
If CILIP is serious about CPD let's have a full, open and frank debated and
perhaps even a referendum on it. With a whole issue of CILIP Update devoted
to Compulsory CPD (not light touch revalidation).
Finally, this is not intended as a dig at Isobel or her fellow Trustees. This is a
dig at a principle at stake. One of open and honest debate, choice and not
least, professionalism.
Thanks for reading this
Roger Farbey, FCLIP
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