Implementation of White Paper: Trust Assurance and Safety 
The White Paper Trust, Assurance and Safety - The Regulation of Health Professionals in the 21st Century, which was published in February 2007, sets out a programme of reform to the United Kingdom's system for the regulation of health professionals by the Professional Regulatory Bodies. All 4 UK countries endorsed the policies in the paper and confirmed their commitment to UK-wide regulation.
The Department of Health (DH) in England takes the lead on regulation, which is put in place through Orders made under section 60 of the Health Act 1999 ("Section 60 Orders"). For most professions regulation is reserved to Westminster, but for those regulated for the first time after the Scotland Act 1998, regulation is devolved to the Scottish Parliament. "Section 60" Orders have to be laid for approval by resolution of both Parliaments if they include devolved elements.
Implementation of many of the White Paper policies will require a number of legislative changes. The Health and Social Care Act 2008 put some in place, with others gradually being effected through a series of "section 60" Orders and/ or guidance. Due to different systems and structures, how the new policies are implemented may vary across the 4 UK countries.
DH is managing implementation of the White Paper through its Professional Standards Programme, and UK governance arrangements are in place. For information on Scottish Government governance arrangements please see our Programme Initiation Document.
A number of UK and Scottish Government Groups have been set up to implement this White Paper. The Scottish Government Overarching Implementation Steering Group is overseeing the work of the Cross-Professional Fitness to Practise Group It was also overseeing the work of the Extending Professional Regulation Group until that was disbanded following completion of its work. For the most recent update on implementation of the White Paper in Scotland click here - Update Paper. The following links provide more detailed information on specific aspects of the implementation programme.
Medical Regulation - Revalidation
Non -medical Regulation - Revalidation
Further legislation ('section 60' Orders)
Healthcare Support Workers - Standards and Codes
National Regulation Event 2009
This year's Annual National Regulation Event 2009, is being held on 27 and 28 October 2009 at the Edinburgh International Climbing Arena at Ratho. For further details please click on this image.