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Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Tuesday, 1 Jul 2003

Vol. 570 No. 2

Written Answers. - Health Professionals.

Liz O'Donnell

Ceist:

381 Ms O'Donnell asked the Minister for Health and Children if it is proposed to prohibit the use of the title physical therapist by practitioners other than those who are members of the Irish Association of Chartered Physiotherapists; if physical therapists will be allowed to so describe their services; and if he will make a statement on the matter in view of the concern regarding the negative implications on physical therapists. [18338/03]

John Perry

Ceist:

394 Mr. Perry asked the Minister for Health and Children if his attention has been drawn to the issues raised by a person (details supplied) regarding the forthcoming health and social care professionals Bill; if he will address the questions asked; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18437/03]

Tony Gregory

Ceist:

418 Mr. Gregory asked the Minister for Health and Children his views on whether physical therapy is separate and distinct from physiotherapy, as detailed in a submission (details supplied) regarding the registration of health and social care professionals; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18651/03]

I propose to take Questions Nos. 381, 394 and 418 together.

Action 105 of the health strategy commits my Department to strengthening and expanding provisions for the statutory registration of health professionals. In this context, the heads of a Bill establishing a system of statutory registration for health and social care professionals, including physiotherapists, have been approved by the Government. A Bill is being drafted by the Office of the Chief Parliamentary Counsel based on the proposals outlined in the heads. Under the health and social care professionals Bill, which is due to be published later this year, it is intended to protect the title of "physiotherapist" in order that only those professionals registered with the registration board for physiotherapists will be legally entitled to use the title. It is also proposed that it will be an offence for an unregistered person to use a protected title or to act in a manner which implies that they are entitled to use a protected title. It would be a matter for the proposed regulatory authority for health and social care professionals to investigate a complaint that a person is misrepresenting themselves in any of these respects.

It is also intended that it will be the responsibility of the regulatory authority to ensure that members of the public are properly informed and guided in relation to the suitability and competence of a registered professional providing a service. It will remain the responsibility of individual practitioners providing health care services to the public to ensure they are trained and qualified to the level required to work safely in their area of competence. In drafting the legislation, further advice and examination will be required of the many complex legal, competition and public interest issues that arise under the Bill, including in relation to protection of title.
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