On 21 February 2007, the UK Government published its White Paper on the future regulation of the health professions.

This followed a consultation in 2006 by the Department of Health on two reports: Good doctors, safer patients and The regulation of the non-medical healthcare professions.

The White Paper acknowledges that the Devolved Administration in Scotland will decide how to address a number of the policy intentions. This is in recognition of Scotland's specific context.

Implementation in Scotland of the policy principles set out in the White Paper is being taken forward by an overarching Implementation Steering Group (OISG) . Details of this Group can be found at:

http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Topics/Health/NHS-Scotland/paper/implementation/EPR

The OISG is overseeing the work of the Cross-Professional Fitness to Practise Group. For further information on this Group see: http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Topics/Health/NHS-Scotland/paper/implementation/CPFtP.

It was also overseeing the work of the Extending Professional Regulation Group until that was disbanded following completion of its work. For information on the work which was undertaken by the Group see: http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Topics/Health/NHS-Scotland/paper/implementation/EPR .