New data analyses from the HCPC shows how many UK trained students go on to join our Register, to be able to practise in the UK.
As the UK’s largest multi-profession health professions regulator, we hold unique insight on the shape of the health and care workforce.
This new dashboard builds on the existing data hub, which provides valuable insights into the 15 professions we regulate. The data hub includes information such as the number of professionals on the Register (with breakdowns by different characteristics), and how long professionals remain registered in the UK, based on factors such as their route of registration.
The latest data analysis shows the proportion of individuals who completed HCPC approved education programmes in 2024 and then joined the HCPC Register.
This forms part of our HCPC’s ambition to use the data hub to generate insight across every stage of the professional journey – from training to become a registered health and care professional, through to leaving the profession.
Insights to inform workforce planning
With the current 10 Year Health Plan aimed at reforming the NHS in England, and a workforce plan on the horizon, the new data analyses can provide workforce planners and commissioners with more insight to help inform their decision making at a local level, through understanding differences across regions and at individual education providers.
For example, within UK nations and English regions, the highest registration rates were in the East Midlands in England and Wales (96%), with Scotland having with the lowest (88%).
With a government ambition to establish multidisciplinary neighbourhood health centres in every community, the kind of insights we are collating and sharing provide snapshots to support the training and provision of specific local services.
As well as being able to explore the conversion rates of those who complete programmes and join the HCPC Register in geographic locations, the dashboard also offers insights based on profession and programme type.
For example, a higher percentage of those who completed apprenticeship programmes (98%) registered with the HCPC, compared to more traditional taught routes (93%), and of the 15 HCPC regulated professions, the highest rates of registration were for music therapists, operating department practitioners, and paramedics.
‘The HCPC data hub provides a profile of the Register across the 15 professions we regulate.
We hope this new dashboard will help inform planning decisions by workforce commissioners, and programme provision plans by education providers.
The new analyses show that in 2024, 93% of those who completed HCPC approved education programmes did go on to join the HCPC’s Register. However, this also means 7% of those who successfully completed their training have decided not to go on and practice the profession they have trained for in the UK.
We hope by shining a light on this, it will help us understand if there is more that can be done to encourage those who have decided not to Register with the HCPC to join the profession they have trained in and contribute to our health and care system.’
As set out in our new Corporate Strategy, the HCPC is committed to sharing data and insights to drive a more proactive, preventative model of regulation.
Using the HCPC Data Hub
Freely accessible on our website, there are full instructions on how to use the platform using the selection menus.
It is possible to select from any or all HCPC regulated professions, and the menus contain insight on specific education providers, by age group on joining the Register, mode and model of learning, by UK country and NHS regions for England.
