Professional Standards Authority

03/12/2025

Today we mark the International Day of Persons with Disabilities—a day to celebrate diversity and promote inclusion.

We are proud to be a Disability Confident Level 2 employer, working to ensure disabled people have the opportunities to fulfil their potential.

Here’s what that means for us:

- Inclusive and accessible recruitment
- Proactive reasonable adjustments
- A welcoming environment for staff and visitors

Our goal is simple: to create a workplace where everyone can develop and feel part of a supportive community.

01/12/2025

We asked our policy colleagues: what are the most common barriers to making a complaint to a professional regulator? Here are just a few of the factors they identified.

For both healthcare professionals and service users, the barriers can be significant.

Healthcare professionals often face social and cultural challenges – fear of damaging relationships or careers, uncertainty about thresholds, and the emotional strain of gathering evidence.
Service users frequently lack awareness of regulators, worry about repercussions, and find the process overwhelming, especially those with limited digital access or support.

Complaints processes are vital for accountability and patient safety, but this research shows they can feel complex and even hostile.

👉 Click here to read the full answer, as well as nine further questions: www.professionalstandards.org.uk/publications/barriers-and-enablers-making-complaint-health-or-social-care-professional-regulator

28/11/2025

We responded to the Health, Social Care and Sport Committee's call for evidence on the Non-surgical Procedures and Functions of Medical Reviewers (Scotland) Bill.

We support the Bill’s intent to restrict access to higher and medium-risk procedures to adults and in regulated settings, but we recommend it is accompanied by public education and clear guidance.

Click here to read the full response: www.professionalstandards.org.uk/publications/response-hscsc-call-evidence-non-surgical-procedures-scotland-bill

27/11/2025

We have responded to the General Optical Council's consultation on its Indicative Sanctions Guidance, noting that aspects of the guidance should be improved to prevent clear negative impacts on fairness, promoting equality diversity and inclusion, and public protection.

These points relate to the definition of vulnerable witnesses, which we believe should be expanded in line with a modern understanding of vulnerability, and the need for improvements to the clarity of the guidance in relation to hearsay, review hearings and sexual misconduct.

Read our full response here: www.professionalstandards.org.uk/publications/response-general-optical-councils-consultation-its-indicative-sanctions-guidance

27/11/2025

Black Friday is just around the corner and with it, some tempting deals on non-surgical cosmetic procedures including Botox and lip fillers.

The price might have dropped, but the risks haven’t. Practitioners providing these treatments may not be regulated professionals. We recommend checking who is treating you to make sure they are on a PSA Accredited Register and display the Quality Mark.

When you see the Quality Mark, you can be confident that the practitioner is appropriately trained, handles complaints professionally and follows good practice in running their business.

You’ll often see the Quality Mark on a practitioner’s website, in their workspace, or on their promotional materials.

Find out more here: www.professionalstandards.org.uk/look-for-the-mark

25/11/2025

In September, we published research which revealed that people trying to make complaints about healthcare to a professional regulator can experience many barriers.

But what are people looking for when they do complain?

Paul Whiteing, Chief Executive of Action against Medical Accidents - AVMA, explored this question during our recent Symposium.

To find out about the day's sessions, click here: www.professionalstandards.org.uk/news-and-updates/news/turning-insights-complaints-action-preventing-harm-care

24/11/2025

Today, Melanie Venables, our Director of Policy and Communications delivered a keynote address at the Westminster Health Forum conference: Next Steps for Professional Healthcare Regulation in the UK.

The event brought together key stakeholders to explore the future of professional healthcare regulation against the backdrop of NHS reform and government plans for system change.

We are pleased to be part of these important conversations shaping the next phase of professional healthcare regulation.

Find out more here: https://www.westminsterforumprojects.co.uk/conference/Healthcare-Reg-25

21/11/2025

Earlier this month, we attended . It was a valuable opportunity to engage with colleagues across health and social care, and to discuss Right-touch regulation as well as our commissioned research into the barriers and enablers to making a complaint.

20/11/2025

Yesterday, our Assistant Director, Intelligence and Insight, Douglas Bilton, spoke at the Independent Healthcare Provider Network’s sexual safety session.

Douglas shared insights on preventing sexual misconduct and harm, drawing on key themes from our recent sexual misconduct webinar series and earlier work on prevention.

For more information about the series, click here:

We added 2025 dates to our webinar series focused on tackling sexual misconduct by health and care professionals. This series has now drawn to a close.

20/11/2025

20/11/2025

19/11/2025

The PSA Board is meeting in London today.

The discussion will cover areas such as communications, finances, and Accredited Registers.

You can access the full set of Board papers here: www.professionalstandards.org.uk/about-us/about-our-board/board-meeting-papers-and-agendas