Returning to the NHS

Below you will find information on returning to the NHS to support during the COVID-19 epidemic.

De-registered within the past three years

Emergency legislation has been passed by the UK Government, giving the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) powers to automatically register thousands of former healthcare professionals, including around 170 orthoptists.

If you have left the HCPC Register within the past three years, you should have been contacted with information on the temporary emergency registration process.

You can find out more, including accessing the register here. If you are eligible but have not been contacted, please contact the Registration team at [email protected].

If you are eligible, you can express your interest in returning to practice, by completing the NHS Survey here.

If you are returning to work via the temporary register, BIOS would be delighted to help support you at this time. We have therefore set up three new membership categories, to enable you to gain the benefits of full membership, including liability insurance and trade union representation, on a temporary basis. Find out more here.

Final Year Students

HCPC has notified education providers that final year students who have successfully completed their final clinical placements will also be registered temporarily, further increasing the numbers available to work for the NHS.

You can find out more, including accessing the register here. If you are eligible but have not been contacted, please contact the Registration team at [email protected].

If you are eligible, you can express your interest in returning to practice, by completing the NHS Survey here.

Currently in private practice

Those in private practice who wish to return to the NHS can return via their bank or register with NHS Professionals via the links below:

De-registered for more than three years

Currently, the temporary register is only eligible for individuals who have de-registered in the last 3 years. However, you can support the NHS in other ways such as by practising in an assistant role or under a non-protected title which reflects your current level of skills and knowledge. If you get in touch with your local NHS trust, they will be able to advise on what support they need / roles are available.

More details is available on the HCPC website here.

Country specific guidance on returning to work in the NHS can be found below:

England – See the COVID-19 our approach to temporary registration guidance developed by the HCPC.
Scotland – See the Coronavirus (COVID-19) – returning to registered professional practice: guidance developed by the Scottish Government.
Northern Ireland – guidance is currently being developed and will be added to this page once available. In the interim see the FAQs on AHPs returning to practice developed by the Government in Northern Ireland.
Wales – see the Returning allied health professionals and healthcare scientists: guidance developed by the Welsh Government

If you’re on the temporary register, you can get full BIOS membership, including liability insurance and trade union representation, at a reduced rate for six months.

Find out more here.

Coronavirus