Dan Neville
Question:641 Mr. Neville asked the Minister for Health and Children the measures for quality assurance of State physiotherapists here in view of concerns expressed in correspondence (details supplied). [1283/03]
Vol. 560 No. 1
641 Mr. Neville asked the Minister for Health and Children the measures for quality assurance of State physiotherapists here in view of concerns expressed in correspondence (details supplied). [1283/03]
642 Mr. Noonan asked the Minister for Health and Children if his attention has been drawn to a campaign by the Irish Society of Chartered Physiotherapists to give legal protection to the titles of physiotherapists and physical therapists and to the fact that the society is conducting this campaign to ensure that persons with minimal qualifications may not use these titles to the detriment of patients in their care; the steps he intends taking to give the legal protection requested; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1289/03]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 641 and 642 together.
Action 105 of the health strategy commits my Department to strengthening and expanding provisions for statutory registration of health professionals. In this context legislation is being prepared to establish a system of statutory registration for 14 health and social care professions, including physiotherapy. Under these proposals, which have been approved by Government, a registration board will be established for each profession which will be responsible, inter alia, for establishing and maintaining a register of qualified practitioners and setting standards of education and training.
Under these proposals, the title of physiotherapist will be protected, that is, only those professionals registered with the registration board for physiotherapists will be legally entitled to use the title, physiotherapist. This will represent a significant improvement on the existing legal position, where currently there is no impediment to a person in private practice describing themselves as a physiotherapist, irrespective of their qualification level. This situation does not arise in the case of those employed or working on behalf of the public health service where the title of physiotherapist refers only to those who meet the minimum qualification level for entry into the profession. This measure currently ensures quality assurance for State physiotherapists.