Health and social care workers to be regulated

SOCIAL workers, psychologists, physiotherapists and dieticians are among a group of 12 health and social care professionals to be regulated by a new State body announced yesterday by the statutory registration of 12 health and social professions.

Ms Harney said it was the first time that health and social care professionals in Ireland would be regulated under statute and was a very significant step in the Government’s drive towards ensuring high standards of patient safety.

Twelve separate registration boards will be set up under the council to regulate the following professions — clinical biochemists, dieticians, medical scientists, occupational therapists, orthoptists, physiotherapists, podiatrists, psychologists, radiographers, social care workers, social workers and speech and language therapists.