HCPC issues advice on conflicts of interest
The Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) has joined other health and care regulators to agree a joint statement on handling conflicts of interest.
It sets out the expectations of how HCPC-regulated professionals should act in relation to avoiding, declaring and managing actual or potential conflicts of interest, including:
- putting the interests of people in their care above their own interests;
- maintaining appropriate personal and professional boundaries;
- refusing gifts, favours or hospitality which could be interpreted as an attempt to gain preferential treatment;
- ensuring patients have easy-to-understand information on any fees and charging policies.
The joint statement – with the General Medical Council and others – supports HCPC’s existing Standards of conduct, performance and ethics published last year, which are still the over-riding consideration for professionals.
MORE INFORMATION AND FULL JOINT STATEMENT