In February 2021, the Faculty led a consultation with all Members to gain views on the Faculty becoming a member body of the Federation of Informatics Professionals (FedIP). The responses were strongly supportive and the Trustees, informed by that consultation, have written to apply. Thank you to everyone who contributed.

The FCI Trustee Board is now going through the process of due diligence in order to join FedIP. In the meantime we are collaborating closely with FedIP and we will provide updates on the process here.

The purpose of FCI joining FedIP is to work together on professional development and development of professional standards.

When the Faculty completes the process of joining FedIP, members of FCI will have the opportunity to participate in FedIP activities through FCI’s membership of FedIP.

If you are already registered with a Professional Standards Authority (PSA) regulated body, such as the GMC, NMC, HCPC etc., you do not need to register with FedIP. There is no requirement for Faculty members to have dual registration of FCI and FedIP.

Please see below a list of FAQs which provides more information and is based on feedback received during the Member consultation of February 2021.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the purpose of joining FedIP?

The purpose of FCI joining FedIP is to work together with other informatics bodies involved in health and social care on professional development and development of professional standards.

What are the advantages of FCI joining FedIP? 

FCI works closely with FedIP and by becoming a member organisation this will further enable us to deliver joined up, collaborative working and a unified voice for our members.
Joining FedIP will also help to give the FCI and our membership a wider voice, with increased recognition and a stronger reputation.
We know from our membership surveys that an opportunity for networking with peers is valued by our members and joining FedIP will broaden the scope for this and the chance to gain support from people working in your field.
A primary aim of both the FCI and FedIP is professionalisation. Working together will help us to better strive to meet this objective.
FCI’s membership of FedIP could provide a multitude of other opportunities including consultancy projects, research projects, international exchange programmes, conferences, events, shared learning resources and career opportunities.

Are there any disadvantages of joining FedIP?

The Faculty Trustee Board considered the option to join FedIP with great care. We do not feel there are any disadvantages of joining FedIP and will continue to work to achieve our aims and charitable objectives, in line with our core values. Joining FedIP will not adversely affect any of the benefits we are able to provide to our members and in fact will bring new opportunities, as outlined above.

How will joining FedIP affect the governance of the FCI?

The FCI will remain as an autonomous, independent body and be governed in exactly the same way as it was before joining FedIP.
Joining FedIP will give us the opportunity to have Faculty representatives on the Standing Committees of FedIP, including committees for Professional Development and Education, Stakeholders and Operations and for Registration and Standards.

What does it mean for me as an individual in terms of membership of FCI and other FedIP bodies? 

If you are already registered with a Professional Standards Authority (PSA) regulated body, such as the GMC, NMC, HCPC, etc., nothing changes. You are already registered with a statutory regulatory body and so do not need to register with FedIP. There is no requirement, and there are no plans for any requirement, for Faculty members to have dual registration with both their current PSA regulatory body and with FedIP. The cost of membership of FCI will not be affected by the joining of FedIP.
If you are not currently registered with a PSA regulated body, and do not intend to become so, we expect to introduce in due course the option for you to apply to be registered with FedIP.

Will there be future opportunities to review if the arrangement is working?

The FCI Trustee Board ensures that the business of the Faculty is conducted as efficiently and effectively as possible in order to deliver its charitable objects. Its purpose is to safeguard the charitable status, purpose, aims, values and finances of the Faculty. Therefore the Trustee Board will naturally keep these arrangements under review and will take appropriate action if there are any concerns with the above.

If you have any queries, please contact [email protected]