BMUS wishes to highlight the following information received from SCoR and bring a recent change in the law in England to the attention of its members working independently (all modalities) within a partnership or joint venture, as a franchisee, or as a company manager/ director. If you are in one of the above categories and are delivering diagnostic, baby scanning (CQC term), screening or therapy services you will be required by law to register your services with the Care Quality Commission.

Please note that this requirement does not apply to employees. The registration process commenced on 1st April 2010, if you have not already done so, the SCoR advice is to make early contact with the CQC.  After October 1st 2010 members could find themselves working illegally if they have not registered when they should have done. Please note that only the CQC can give information as to whether registration will be required in any individual case and neither BMUS nor the SCoR can provide advice in this respect.

 Please also note that the CQC applies to England only. There are equivalent bodies to the CQC in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland and members in the above categories are advised to make enquiries with them as to whether there are plans to register diagnostic, therapy or screening services as in England. There may be cross border issues if practising in Scotland or Wales but also providing independent diagnostic, screening or therapy services in England. Again, the CQC will be able to advise.

The web links are:

England: Care Quality Commission:  www.cqc.org.uk

Scotland: Scottish Commission for the Regulation of Care: www.carecommission.com

Wales : Health Inspectorate Wales:  www.hiw.org.uk

Northern Ireland: Regulatory and Quality Improvement Authority:  www.rqia.org.uk