Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 21 October 2021
335. Deputy Cathal Crowe asked the Minister for Health if he along with the HSE will put the necessary measures in place to allow physiotherapists to request imaging for their patients without having to go to a doctor to do same (details supplied). [51873/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraCouncil 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. Physiotherapists are not designated in the regulations and were not designated as referrers (prescribers) under the previous regulations. Not all statutorily regulated professions are designated for the purposes of the BSSD.
HSCP Deliver, A HSCP Strategic Guidance Framework for Health and Social Care Professions 2021-2026 (National Health and Social Care Professionals Office, HSE 2021), launched by the HSE Chief Clinical Officer, Dr Colm Henry, includes commitments for the National HSCP Office in relation to progressing advanced practice for Health and Social Care Professionals (HSCPs).
Officials in my Department will be collaborating with the HSE National Office for Health and Social Care Professionals in relation to HSCP Deliver and developing advance practice for HSCPs to ensure the introduction of new models of healthcare are planned and managed effectively to meet future healthcare need.
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.
