The Pharmaceutical Journal
Vol 279 No 7470 p320
22 September 2007

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Discrimination fears with tighter regulation

Government plans to tighten the regulation of health professionals could lead to discrimination against disabled people and those with long-term conditions, the Disability Rights Commission has warned in a new report.

Following a year-long investigation into the statutory requirements for entrants to the nursing, teaching and social work professions to be in good health, the DRC recommended revocation of the requirements.

It said that they contravened the Disability Discrimination Act 1995, were unnecessary and confusing and constituted a licence to discriminate.

DRC chairman Sir Bert Massie said: “We found over 100 separate pieces of guidance on standards of health across teaching, social work, nursing and other health professions that not only conflict with the DDA but foster a culture that excludes disabled people. …

“Extending requirements for ‘good health’ would increase the potential for discrimination, while doing nothing to protect the public. Indeed, these requirements may offer a false sense of security by implying that inappropriate candidates are weeded out.”

A spokesman for the Council for Healthcare Regulatory Excellence responded: “Being a health professional is a privilege and not a right, but a privilege that should be open to people with disabilities.”