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Knowledge Learning Practice Impact BSA Professional Practice Committee Update The Professional Practice Committee (PPC) fulfills the British Society of Audiology’s role in establishing standards, qualifications and courses in audiology. We currently have 10 members, 2 co-opted members and 6 advisory panel members from a wide variety of backgrounds. We meet quarterly (although numerous emails are exchanged in the interim), and the minutes of these meetings are published on the BSA website. Our aim is to promote good professional practice in audiology, with particular focus on multi- and cross-disciplinary issues through: 1. the provision and dissemination of guidance on good practice that is demonstrably high in relevance, quality and impact 2. the support and, where appropriate, accreditation of educational courses that promote good practice 3. working in partnership with other groups interested in promoting good practice and with stakeholders in good practice. Dr Daniel Rowan, current past-chair, has been awarded the Denzil Brooks Trophy 2013 in recognition of outstanding contributions to promoting excellence in clinical practice through Chairmanship of the PPC, which has become the leading provider of clinical guidance in audiology nationally and internationally. Under his guidance, we began the process of updating all existing Recommended Procedures, and writing new ones to incorporate NHSP protocols. This work continues at pace and we have also begun work to gain NICE accreditation. We are an enthusiastic committee and passionate about what we do, which forms an integral part of the BSA and
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affects everyone practicing audiology. We take a real pride our work, which ensures that other professionals work to a high standard of which they can also be proud. This is not to say that we take all the credit! As a society of collaborative professionals, we can all justifiably give ourselves a firm pat on the back for the way we have met challenges head-on in recent years, such as 18weeks, NHSP, AQP and MSC (to name but a few). As the dust begins to settle, and we take in the changing landscape of the NHS and healthcare science, there is a need to reflect on where we have come from, and where we should aim to be in the future. To achieve this, perhaps now more than ever before, there is a need for unity, involvement and advocates; not just in the PPC, but in the BSA as a whole. The PPC will continue to unite with the Special Interest Groups to develop new guidance and achieve NICE accreditation on behalf of the BSA. Do keep an eye out for new documents. We are rewriting old ones to ensure they are up-to-date, evidence based and hopefully easier to read, and we are writing new ones to cover areas for which there has previously been no guidance. Gaining NICE accreditation will ensure all our processes for producing documents are robust and will strengthen the international reputation of the BSA as a source of very high standard guidance, policies and standards. The PPC cannot function without the continued involvement of BSA membership to help with consultations of our Recommended Procedures. We would like to express our sincerest gratitude to all those who take the time to help with these consultations, and would encourage more people to get involved. Every comment and opinion is welcome!