OUR CPD POLICY

The following is an extract from the Alliance Rule Book and Code of Ethics:

... 9. CONTINUING PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT

a) Continuing professional development (CPD) is mandatory for all Alliance Fellows, Members and Associate Members. In order to ensure that sufficient CPD is undertaken to justify continuation of insurance cover, it is necessary to gain 40 CPD points in each membership year. Most professional interactions/activities count towards CPD if they are written up in the correct format with reflection upon application to practice.

b) A wide range of CPD is provided by the Alliance in the form of Open Clinical Forums, an Annual Seminar, web-based CPD opportunities, post graduate courses, and extending to recognition of contributions to the Alliance Journal. The Alliance works closely with the College of Foot Health Practitioners to stage further CPD-worthy events such as Basic Life Support courses, Masterclasses and Workshops throughout the year.

c) All members should hold a current Basic Life Support Certificate, valid for three years.

NB. The Basic Life Support Certificate must be renewed annually by Podiatrists licensed to administer local anaesthesia.

THE CPD TARIFF

CPD points are awarded according to the following tariff:

Attendance at the three days of the Alliance Annual Convention 40 (20 points for all-day Saturday, 10 points for Friday evening or Sunday morning)

Attendance at an Alliance Open Clinical Forum 10

Attendance at a meeting of another professional body 5

Basic Life Support 10

Completion of an approved initial FHP course 20

Completion of a major post graduate course 20 (Biomechanics, Remedial Massage, Verruca Management, Advanced Foot Health Practice)

Downloads – completion of exercises from the Alliance website 10

Masterclass Attendance per 3 hour session 10

Practice-Building Workshops 10 (Reflexology, Aromatherapy, Manicure & Pedicure, Manual Handling)

Publication of submissions to the Alliance Journal - variable award ( note that only those articles actually accepted for publication are awarded CPD and that points awarded depend upon clinical content and value to colleagues)

Stonebridge courses recognised by the Alliance as meritorious for CPD - any course listed in Appendix 1 - variable award ( Anatomy & Physiology, Anatomy and Physiology – Advanced, Aromatherapy, Biochemistry, Business Marketing, Continuing Professional Development (CPD)*, Dementia Awareness, Diabetes, Essential Book-keeping, Manicure and Pedicure, Massage NVQ Level 3, Reflexology, Reflexology for Foot Care Specialists, Remedial Massage, Safe Handling of Medicines, Small Business Management, Starting Your Own Business. 

Other activities can earn CPD - examples: personal research of relevant topics; book reviews; trials/audits based on your practice; collaborative study with colleagues; lecture preparation; demonstration or lecturing to colleagues; etc. variable award

Continuing professional development is the means by which professional people continue to develop themselves and expand their understanding. CPD is self-directed – you choose which way you want your practice to grow and follow lines that are of interest to yourself.

When in practice, we all encounter situations and circumstances that are best shared with colleagues, and no one of us should attempt to practice in isolation. It makes sound good sense to consult with our more experienced fellows, network with colleagues and check out our understandings with mentors. Inevitably, we all become more ‘expert’ in our own areas of interest and can then support our colleagues whose expertise may lie in different areas. By teaching others we expand and consolidate our own learning.

All claims for CPD must be submitted to Alliance Head Office and be accompanied by evidence to support the claim (photocopies of receipts, certificates of attendance, certificates of completion, etc.)

Ideally, CPD should cover a range of activities. Not all CPD activities have an associated cost.

Alliance CPD is presented at the right level for practice and is immediately applicable to practice.

All Alliance CPD and that from the College of Foot Health Practitioners is available to non-members of any background, any discipline. The Alliance has a points system for the convenience of its own members but Alliance CPD is certificated on completion and can form part of any CPD portfolio.

Non–Alliance members are welcome to attend any event.

Scroll down for publications .....

CPD is now available by post or on-line. Simply download the relevant paper from the links below or telephone the Alliance office and your selection will be posted to you. Once completed, return to the Alliance office with the relevant fee. Correct completion of each exercise will entitle you to 10 CPD points.

PUBLICATIONS - RELEVANT TO ALL PRACTITIONERS

• PADDINGS AND DRESSINGS

• INSOLES, ORTHOSES AND CHAIRSIDE APPLIANCES

• WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT VERRUCAE (2nd edition)

• DOMICILIARY PRACTICE – DELIVERING THE SERVICE AT HOME

• SAFE DRILL TECHNIQUES

• NAIL CLIPPINGS - NAIL DEVELOPMENT AND MANAGEMENT

* ASSESSMENT AND DIAGNOSIS OF THE FOOT AND LEG

* CUTTINGS AND PARINGS - TOPICS FOR PRACTICE

# FALLS IN THE ELDERLY

# CHILBLAINS - ERYTHEMA PERNIO - WITH CD

# BIOMECHANICS - THE AETIOLOGY OF FOOT PAIN- WITH CD

(# new titles) All titles £17.50

The above publications are available from the College of Foot Health Practitioners. Market Chambers, 5-7 High Street, Blackheath, West Midlands B65 0HP. Tel/Fax. 0121 559 0180 Email:admin@collegefhp.com Website: www.collegefhp.com