§ Ms MoranTo ask the Secretary of State for Health what statutory protection is provided to the patients of (i) paramedics, (ii) chiropodists, (iii) physiotherapists,556W (iv) clinical psychologists, (v) occupational therapists and (vi) speech therapists in (a) the National Health Service and (b) the private sector; and what plans he has to introduce measures to provide additional protection. [75224]
§ Mr. DenhamChiropodists, physiotherapists and occupational therapists are regulated under the Professions Supplementary to Medicine Act 1960. It is an offence to pretend to be registered under that Act. In addition, employment in the National Health Service is restricted to those who are registered under the Act. We plan to replace the Act with new legislation to improve public protection, including restricting the use of common professional title to registered practitioners wherever they work.
NHS employment of speech and language therapists is restricted to members of the Royal College of Speech and Language Therapists. NHS employment of paramedics is restricted to those who have a qualification accredited by the Institute of Health Care Development. We are currently considering petitions to extend the 1960 Act to these two professions.
NHS employment of clinical psychologists is restricted to those who are members of the British Psychological Society. It is for the profession to develop proposals for statutory regulation.