Useful Information

Websites

Scottish Forum for Healthcare Science

National School for Healthcare Science

Professional Standards Authority

Health & Care Professions Council

Health Education England


Policy documents

Good Scientific Practice


Healthcare Science Glossary and Abbreviations

This is a glossary of terms, abbreviations and acronyms used in Healthcare Science, education & training and the wider health and care system.

We have used our best endeavours to ensure that this list is as comprehensive and as accurate as possible. If you have spotted anything that is missing, please email us on information@ahcs.ac.uk and we will try to update this list as soon as possible.

Weblinks

AAPT Association of Anatomical Pathology Technology
ABHS Association of Biomedical Healthcare Scientists
ACB Association of Clinical Biochemistry
ACC Association for Clinical Cytogenetics
AAPT Association of Anatomical Pathology Technology
ABHS Association of Biomedical Healthcare Scientists
ACE Association for Clinical Embryologists
ACEM Association of Clinical Electron Microscopists
ACPE Association for Clinical Physiology Education
ACPRC Association for Chartered Physiotherapists in Respiratory Care
ACS Association of Clinical Scientists
AGIP Association of GI Physiologists
AHCS Academy for Healthcare Science
AHPO Associations of Health Professionals in Ophthalmology
ANS Association of Neurophysiological Scientists (was EPTA)
AoRMC Academy of Royal Medical Colleges
AOSP Association of Ophthalmic Science Practitioners
APT Association of Pharmacy Technicians UK
ARNS Association of Respiratory Training Nurse Specialists
ART Association for Renal Technologists
ARTP Association for Respiratory Technology & Physiology
AURPO Association of University Radiation Protection Officers

BAA British Academy of Audiologists (now incorporates BAAT – British Association of Audiological Technicians and BSHT – British Society of Hearing Therapists)
BARS British Association of Retinal Screeners
BBTS British Blood Transfusion Society
BIPP British Institute of Professional Photographers
BIR British Institute of Radiology
BNMS British Nuclear Medicine Society
BriSCEV British Society for Clinical Electrophysiology of Vision
BSCN British Society for Clinical Neurophysiology
BSE British Society of Electrocardiography
BSHAA British Society of Hearing Aid Audiologists
BSH British Society for Haematology
BSHI British Society for Histocompatability and Immunogenetics
BTS British Thoracic Society

CMAS Clinical Movement Analysis Society
CMGS Clinical Molecular Genetics Society

DH Department of Health

EA Environment Agency

FDS Faculty of Dental Surgery
FOM Faculty of Occupational Medicine
FPM Faculty of Pharmaceutical Medicine
FPH Faculty of Public Health

GSP Good Scientific Practice

HEEAG Health Education England Advisory Group
HEE Health Education England
HCPC Health Care Professions Council
HCSNI Health and Social Care Northern Ireland
HSE Health & Safety Executive

IBMS Institute of Biomedical Science
IHEEM Institute of Healthcare Engineering and Estate Management
IMI Institute of Medical Illustrators
IMPT Institute of Maxillofacial Prosthetists and Technologists
IPEM Institute of Physics and Engineering in Medicine
IPS Institute of Physiological Sciences
IQIPS Improving Quality in Physiological Diagnostic Services
ISAS Imaging Services Accreditation Scheme
ISO International Standards Organisation

MHRA Medicine and Healthcare Regulatory Agency

NHS England
NOS National Occupational Standards
NPDAG National Professional Diagnostic Advisory Group
NSHCS National School of Healthcare Science

OIA Ophthalmic Imaging Association

OSET International Organisation of Societies for Electrophysiological Technology

PASG Pharmaceutical Aseptic Services Group
PHE Public Health England
PSA Professional Standards Authority for Health and Social Care (previously CHRE)

QAA Quality Assurance Agency for Higher Education

RCOA Royal College of Anaesthetists  
RCGP
Royal College of General Practitioners
RCOG Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists  
RCOphth
Royal College of Ophthalmologists  
RCPCH
Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health
RCPath
Royal College of Pathologists
RCP
Royal College of Physicians
RCPE
Royal College of Physicians of Edinburgh
RCPI
Royal College of Physicians of Ireland  
RCPSG
Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Glasgow  
RCPSYCH
Royal College of Psychiatrists  
RCR
Royal College of Radiologists
RCSEd
Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh
RCS
Royal College of Surgeons of England
RCSI
Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland  
RCCP
Registration Council for Clinical Physiology
RCT
Register for Clinical Technologists
RESMaG
Rehabilitation Engineering Services Management Group
RSB
Royal Society of Biology

SCCT Society for Critical Care Technologists
SCoR Society of Radiographers
SCST Society for Cardiological Science & Technology
SEPA Scottish Environmental Protection Agency
SRP Society for Radiological Protection
SVT Society for Vascular Technology

UKAS The United Kingdom Accreditation Service is the sole national accreditation body recognised by government to assess, against internationally agreed standards, organisations that provide certification, testing, inspection and calibration services
UKRG United Kingdom Radiopharmacy Group

WDC Workforce Development Confederation