Overview

This bill aims to regulate the professions of counsellor and psychotherapist in the UK by establishing the Health Professionals Council (HPC) as their official regulatory body. This includes creating a code of ethics, setting up complaint procedures, and defining disciplinary actions, with a particular focus on banning gay-to-straight conversion therapy.

Description

Regulation

The bill amends the Health Act 1999 to include counsellors and psychotherapists under the HPC's regulatory scope. The HPC will be responsible for maintaining a register of qualified professionals.

Code of Ethics

The HPC will create and publish a code of ethics for registered counsellors and psychotherapists. Crucially, this code will explicitly prohibit gay-to-straight conversion therapy.

Complaints and Discipline

The bill outlines a procedure for handling patient complaints. The HPC will investigate complaints and can impose disciplinary actions, including temporary or permanent removal from the register. A breach of the conversion therapy ban will result in automatic permanent removal.

Government Spending

The bill doesn't specify direct government spending figures. The costs will likely involve the HPC's administrative and regulatory activities related to registering professionals, managing complaints, and enforcing the code of ethics.

Groups Affected

• Counsellors and Psychotherapists: They will be subject to regulation, requiring registration with the HPC and adherence to the code of ethics. Failure to comply could lead to disciplinary action.
• Patients: They will benefit from a regulatory framework designed to protect them from unqualified or unethical practitioners. A formal complaints procedure will be available.
• Health Professionals Council (HPC): The bill significantly expands the HPC's responsibilities and workload.

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