Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 16 November 2021
592. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to a campaign (details supplied) to extend the list of x-ray referrers to include registered physiotherapists and to create the grade of advanced practice physiotherapists; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [55815/21]
View answerCouncil Directive 2013/59/EURATOM (the BSSD), insofar as it relates to the designation of referrers, was fully transposed by the European Union (Basic Safety Standards for Protection Against Dangers Arising from Medical Exposure to Ionising Radiation) Regulations 2018 (S.I. No. 256 of 2018).
These regulations designate those who may refer for radiological tests; nurses, doctors, dentists and radiographers are designated as appropriate. It should be noted that not all statutorily regulated professions are designated for the purposes of the BSSD. Physiotherapists are not designated in the regulations and were not designated as referrers (prescribers) under the previous regulations.
The requirement for physiotherapists to order x-rays needs to be determined in the context of the new models of healthcare envisaged under Sláintecare. If a requirement is established in the future then legislation changes supported by a clinical professional position, development of relevant education and competency standards of practice will also be required.
HSCP Deliver, A HSCP Strategic Guidance Framework for Health and Social Care Professions 21-2026 (National Health and Social Care Professionals Office, HSE 2021), launched by the HSE Chief Clinical Officer, Dr Colm Henry, includes commitments regarding progressing advanced practice for Health and Social Care Professionals. Officials in my Department are engaging with the HSE National Office for Health and Social Care Professionals in relation to HSCP Deliver and issues regarding developing advance practice for Health and Social Care Professionals to ensure that the introduction of new models of healthcare are planned and managed effectively to meet future healthcare need.
The HSE Integrated Care Lead and National Health and Social Care Professionals Office are committed to working in partnership with all stakeholders to progress advanced practice including patients/service users, other clinical colleagues including medical, nursing & midwifery and other health care professionals, Professional bodies, HSE and the Department of Health.
In relation to creating the grade of advanced practice physiotherapist, the Minister considers all new grades proposed by the HSE. To date the proposal for advanced practice physiotherapist has not been submitted to the Department for consideration. The HSE has a robust internal process which screens all potential new grades ensuring that they fit with Sláintecare reforms and that they are remunerated in line with their complexity and scope and represent international best practice
