sound scientific and theoretical underpinning. We are also continuing to develop initiatives that will allow the promotion of forensic psychology, as well as enhancing our professional identity, through positive interactions with the media. Carol A. Ireland, Chair
Division of Health Psychology The DHP has had a very active year. The principal activities have revolved around changes in the regulation of practising psychologists, reviewing the activities and functioning on the committee and delivering more services to members. Key activities include: ■ Discussions over the statutory regulation of psychologists who provide service to the public. In July the HPC published the titles that are subject to statutory regulation and we were pleased to see ‘health psychologist’ as one of these protected titles. ■ Regular newsletters were introduced to keep members abreast of activities. To date, four newsletters had been sent to members via e-mail. Further details of the DHP activities are posted on the website. ■ A successful Annual Conference was held in Birmingham and we held a meeting with the Division of Neuropsychology (‘Neuropsychological Impact of Health Conditions’). A rolling programme of one-day meetings with other Divisions is planned. ■ We have conducted a review the subcommittees of the DHP. ■ A conference committee has been established to provide support on the all aspects of the running of conferences. ■ The publicity and liaison subcommittee instituted a review of all publicity. As a result, the editorial team of Health Psychology Update was strengthened with specific editorial posts: www.bps.org.uk/dhp/health-psych-update/health-psych-update_home.cfm The review of our website led to a members area introduced and newsletters made available online www.bps.org.uk/dhp/members-area/members-area_home.cfm ■ The Workforce Planning Committee has been reorganised and renamed so as to reflect its actual activities, which cover the activities of health psychology practice. ■ Members of the DHP continue to provide responses to a range of consultation documents. There are 120 members on the Specialist Knowledge List and in the year ending March 2009, 68 consultations had been responded to by Division members. ■ Much of the administrative work for activities was performed by members of the DHP committee. This was becoming increasingly burdensome and it was decided to move a number of these administrative tasks to the Society office. These included the website technical management and some of the organisation of our Annual Conference. Continuing professional development had four very successful events this year – www.bps.org.uk/ dhp/cpd/cpd-events.cfm – and will now work with the Society’s Learning Centre. ■ The survey of members reported and is being used to guide activities of the executive. ■ Support for health psychology students continued. This year the internship scheme that supports students to complete a piece of work made two awards and the bursary scheme to assist students to attend the Annual Conference made 12 awards. ■ Publicity for health psychology has continued through presentations, including one at a Psychology for All event, and the production and distribution of leaflets about health psychology to A level Psychology students. ■ New stage 2 training was approved on 14 September and has now been launched: www.bps.org.uk/careers/society_qual/qual_downloads$/health_download$.cfm Stanton Newman, Deputy Chair A N N U A L R E V I E W 2009
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