Call for the immediate regulation of physios

The Irish Society of Chartered Physiotherapists (ISCP) has called on Minister for Health James Reilly to establish the physiotherapists' registration board now in the interest of public safety.

Nine years after the HSCP (Health and Social Care Professionals) Act was passed, providing legislation for the health and social care professions, the physiotherapists’ registration board has still not been set up and the ISCP said the delay was putting patients at risk. Only five out of 12 registration boards have been established since 2005.

Mr Reilly called for expressions of interest on April 12th, 2013, for the physiotherapists’ registration board to be established as part of an ongoing process called “statutory registration” to regulate all the health and social care professions.

Jill Long, president of the ISCP, which represents more than 3,200 private community and health service chartered physiotherapists, said the society had been calling for a registration board for the profession in the interest of public safety for more than 30 years.

“Chartered physiotherapists have to adhere to the highest standards of professional ethics, nationally and internationally. However, patients may not realise the distinction between a chartered physiotherapist and someone else who can call themselves a physiotherapist or physical therapist. This can represent a risk to patients who may not receive the standards of care they need.”

Ms Long said a registration board would require all physiotherapists working in Ireland to be registered, ensuring only registered physiotherapists could use the title and treat patients.

Coru, the regulator of the health and social care professionals, is responsible for establishing the registration boards of the 12 health and social care professions, including physiotherapy. Some 29 eligible candidates applied to be on the new physiotherapists registration board in April/May, 2013.