Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what discussions she is having with professional bodies on ensuring that the public have a clear understanding of (a) professional titles and (b) the services they can expect from the holders of such titles.

It is the responsibility of professionals and their employers to ensure professional titles are used appropriately, and are not misleading to patients. National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) guidelines set out that all healthcare professionals directly involved in a patient's care should introduce themselves and explain to the patient: who is responsible for their clinical care and treatment; the roles and responsibilities of the different members of the healthcare team; and the communication about their care that takes place between members of the healthcare team.

Professions that are regulated in statute have titles that are protected by law, and professionals must be registered with a statutory regulator to use them. It is an offence for a person to use a title they are not legally permitted to use, or to otherwise hold themselves out to be a regulated professional.