New research commissioned by the HCPC shows that one in five 'doubted fitness to practise' of a health or care professional, UK

The Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) is launching new research which finds that a fifth of UK adults have encountered behaviour from a health or care professional that made them doubt their fitness to practise.

More than a quarter said the health or care professional in question seriously or persistently failed to meet standards whilst 16 per cent said they felt the professional failed to respect the rights of a patient to make their own choices. Thirteen per cent felt they were 'hiding mistakes' and a further nine per cent felt they were exploiting vulnerable patients. One in twenty said they had experienced or witnessed reckless or deliberately harmful acts.

Despite these figures, just three out of ten reported their concerns, with a further 73 per cent of adults who would not know where to go to report concerning behaviour.

The data, released 20 November 2013 supports research commissioned by the HCPC earlier in the year into what the general public feel they need protection from most. Findings from this report show that Illegal drug taking and shoplifting were far more likely to concern members of the public than convictions for drink driving. Dishonesty and fraud were also key concerns for most.

Brian James, Head of Assurance and Development said:

"The vast majority of HCPC registrants practise safely and effectively and within nationally agreed standards for professional skills and behaviour. However, on the rare occasion that a registrant does not meet HCPC standards, action can be taken including imposing sanctions or stopping them from practising in the most serious of cases. After looking at the key findings in this research it is reassuring to know that we are dealing with the issues that the public feel they need protecting from the most."

The HCPC's 2013 annual fitness to practise report, which has just been published, shows the action the HCPC is taking to protect the public.

Anyone can contact the HCPC to raise a concern about a registrant. This includes members of the public, employers, the police and other professionals.