We are very disappointed to learn that the Health & Care Professions Council (HCPC) has agreed to increase the annual registration fee from £98.12 to £117.74. The decision by HCPC comes after 88% of those who responded to their consultation last September were opposed to the £19.62 increase.
While we understand the reason why HCPC is looking to increase its fees, we don’t believe this should be during the cost of living crisis and at double the rate of inflation. If occupational therapists and other Allied Health Professionals pay is not increased at the same rate, this will be detrimental to our already struggling workforce.
If approved by the UK and Scottish Parliament, this will mean occupational therapists will have to pay the increased fee starting from August 2023 when the next renewal for the profession begins.
Commenting on the increase our Director of Movement Building and Membership, Karin Bishop said: ‘It’s very disappointing to see HCPC going ahead with the proposed increase to its fees after the consultation responses were strongly against this. Our members have been clear that any increase in costs is unwelcome but a 20% increase during the cost of living crisis and at double the rate of inflation is unreasonable.’
‘Occupational therapy and other Allied Health Professionals are already struggling with low staffing and this increase will only deter people from joining the workforce and make it more difficult to retain the workforce we already have. We urge the UK and Scottish Government to oppose this increase.’
Update 1 March
Steve Ford has written to the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, Steve Barclay MP urging him to oppose the increase.
Dear Secretary of State,
I am writing to express our disappointment around the proposed fee increase from the Health & Care Professions Council (HCPC) and urge you to oppose the increase.
As you will be aware, HCPC is proposing to increase its annual registration fee from £98.12 to £117.74. This £19.62 increase is irresponsible during the cost-of-living crisis and only exacerbates the current pressures on the already struggling occupational therapy workforce.
While we understand the reasons why HCPC is looking to increase its fees, it is very disappointing that they are going ahead with the proposal after the consultation responses last year showed 88% of respondents were strongly against it. Our members have been clear that any increase in costs is unwelcome, but a 20% increase during the cost-of-living crisis and at double the rate of inflation is unreasonable.
Occupational therapists’ and other Allied Health Professionals have not seen their pay rise by the same proportion and an increase of this size will be detrimental to our professional workforce. We understand the importance of HCPC and the role it plays in our sector, and that everyone is facing rising costs, however it is unreasonable to expect registrants to have to burden such a steep increase. The occupational therapy profession is already struggling with low staffing and this increase will deter people from joining the workforce and make it more difficult to retain the staff we already have.
If approved by the UK and Scottish Parliaments, this will mean occupational therapists will have to pay the increased fee starting from August 2023 when the next renewal for the profession begins.
We would be grateful to have an opportunity to discuss this issue further with yourself and officials at the earliest opportunity and urge you again to oppose this increase in fees to protect health and social care professionals and their patients.
Kindest regards,
Steve Ford
Chief Executive
Royal College of Occupational Therapists