The LSI Register is a voluntary, PSA-accredited register for staff from life science industry companies who visit health care facilities as part of their work. Its focus is on protecting the safety of patients, NHS staff and registrants. It is administered by the Academy for Health Care Science (AHCS).
Why is it needed?
There is no national system for regulating life science industry visitors to hospitals or other health care facilities. The LSI Register provides a low-cost means by which those staff can demonstrate they are suitably trained, have had the required immunisations and have had appropriate background checks.
The alternatives are statutory regulation or leaving it to commercial operators to fill the regulatory gap.
Why is the LSI Register preferable to the alternatives?
There would be little appetite in the industry for a statutory system and it’s unlikely to be a priority for the Government.
While commercial ‘appointment booking’ systems currently operate in the NHS, they are expensive (for industry), and inconsistently implemented. In addition, there is no oversight of their operations whereas the LSI Register is subject to regular scrutiny by the PSA.
Does the LSI Register have high-level support?
At the request of Sir Stephen Powis, the NHS Medical Director, a Task and Finish Group was set up to look at ways and means to drive uptake of the LSI Register by the NHS and the life science industry. This work is drawing to a close, and a report will be provided to Sir Stephen, after which his public support for the Register is anticipated. Members of the Task and Finish Group include senior representatives from NHS England, NHS Confederation, NHS Patient Safety and NHS Procurement. Industry representatives are from the major associations, including the BIVDA President, Angela Douglas.
Should I join the register?
Registration is voluntary, but if the LSI Register is to become the accepted system for regulating life science industry staff visiting health care facilities, then its use needs to grow. This applies both to the industry and the NHS, but growth in one needs to parallel growth in the other – a classic chicken and egg scenario.
Many companies are already choosing the LSI Register even without a significant drive from the NHS. This is a clear demonstration that they take their responsibilities seriously but also that they prefer the Register to the alternatives.
Clive Powell, Academy for Healthcare Science Advisor at the Life Science Industry, presented to businesses at Medilink Midlands’ flagship Innovation Day in October as a workshop sponsor. To find out more about the register, click here.