DH blocks sonographer registration
 The Sonographer Registration project started in September 2003 and four partner organisations - the British Society of Echocardiographers, Society and College of Radiographers, Society for Vascular Technology, and the United Kingdom Association of Sonographers - agreed to work collaboratively to develop the case for sonographers to be registered under the Radiography part of the HPC register.
The steering group developed supporting evidence by compiling Standards of Proficiency for sonographers, Benchmark Statements to inform ultrasound education, and held discussions with the ultrasound community regarding the entry point to the profession. Perhaps one of the most contentious issues for many sonographers was the discussion around entry level and the need for this to be proposed at BSc (Hons), as opposed to the current post registration system.
The completed work was then presented to the Councils of the four organisations for consideration. In parallel to this, a ‘listening’ event was held at which representatives from the DH Regulatory branch and the HPC were invited.
Regrettably, it became apparent that, in the view of the Department of Health Regulatory Branch, there was no need or requirement from employers for sonographers to be regulated outside of the current arrangements and that the application would not be progressed. Additionally, provision had already been made for echocardiographers and vascular technologists (unbeknown to the British Society of Echocardiographers and the Society for Vascular Technology) to be covered by Healthcare Science Regulation in 2007. Overwhelming advice given by Ros Mead, Head of DH Regulatory Branch, was to investigate other ‘real’ possibilities for sonographer regulation, as sonographer registration would not be considered until 2009, at the earliest.
A steering group meeting was convened and the reports fed back to parent bodies to assess the impact and discuss potential ways forward. The following options were debated at length:
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Option 1 – The case goes no further;
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Option 2 – One or more of the bodies takes it forward only;
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Option 3 – Taken forward jointly as envisaged at the outset;
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Option 4 - Alternative routes explored.
It was agreed that Option 4 should be progressed and the parent bodies are meeting in May to discuss alternative routes, as suggested by the DH and HPC.
More information from Sue Shelley, Sonographer Registration Project Manager, at sues@sor.org or call 01276 512964.
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