Hallam Assistant Dean to head national health and care regulator

The Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) has announced that Elaine Buckley, Assistant Dean in the Faculty of Health and Wellbeing at Sheffield Hallam University, has been appointed as their new Chair.

The HCPC is a UK regulator of 16 health, psychological and social work professions including paramedics, physiotherapists, radiographers and social workers in England. They protect the public by keeping a register of professionals who meet their standards for training, professional skills and behaviour.

Anyone using the titles such as 'physiotherapist' or 'radiographer' must be registered with the HCPC by law. If a registrant does not meet its standards the HCPC can take action including stopping someone from practising. The HCPC also approves training programmes and plays a key role in setting national standards for the professions it regulates.

Elaine Buckley, who will continue in her role at Sheffield Hallam part-time, will officially take up post on 1 July. She will be taking over from current Chair Dr Anna van der Gaag CBE. Elaine provides academic leadership within the Faculty of Health and Wellbeing, who are one of the largest providers of healthcare training in the UK.

“I am pleased to have been appointed Chair of HCPC and will build on the legacy left by Anna van der Gaag. A key priority for me in particular will be to continue to build evidence based regulation processes and to promote the wider benefits of being a regulated professional.” said Elaine Buckley.

Professor Karen Bryan, Pro Vice-Chancellor and Dean of the Faculty of Health and Wellbeing at Sheffield Hallam University, added “Apart from being a superb appointment for the HCPC, to have a member of our staff heading up such a significant national regulator represents a major coup for Sheffield Hallam.

"With outstanding links throughout the sector, world-class healthcare facilities and leading research - the University is showing why we are a national leader in this area. Everyone at Sheffield Hallam would like to congratulate Elaine for this outstanding achievement."

You can find more information on the Health and Care Professions Council here www.hcpc-uk.org.