Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 2 November 2021
1074. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Health if he plans to extend the list of persons who can refer persons for an x-ray to include registered physiotherapists and to create the grade of advanced practice physiotherapist; if legislation is in preparation to legislate for such a change; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53153/21]
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. It should be noted that 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 Health and Social Care Professionals Office 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 developing advance practice for Health and Social Care Professionals 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.
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.
The HSE is supportive of progressing advanced practice for physiotherapy as part of a wider response to population health care needs that will include all relevant professions within the Health and Social Care Professions group to assist in addressing health care priorities such as waiting list reduction, admission avoidance, patient flow and egress from the acute hospital, and develop the advance practitioner role to address key health issues and assist in the delivery of healthcare reform.
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 and midwifery and other health care professionals, Professional bodies, HSE and the Department of Health.
