National Qualifications Recognition Conference

1. National Qualifications Recognition Conference Professional Body Perspective Irish Society of Chartered Physiotherapists April '06

2. Irish Society of Chartered Physiotherapists • Background on the ISCP • International Links • Physiotherapy Education in Ireland • ISCP as Designated Authority • Operational Aspects of Qualification Recognition • Implications of implementing EU Directives • Observation/issues regarding recognition

3. Irish Society of Chartered Physiotherapists • Established in 1983 • Previously Irish Board of CSP UK • 1989 Ltd. Company • Sole body representing profession in Ireland • Establishes and maintains standards

4. Chairman President Vice-chairman Hon. Secretary Hon Treasurer PRO One Additional Council Member ISCP Representation on Council and Executive EXECUTIVE BOARD OFFICERS OF COUNCIL 7 COUNCIL: 32 EMPLOYMENT GROUPS: 5 PRESIDENT: 1 Management 1* Private Practice 1* Teachers 1* Community Care 1* Education 1* CO-OPTIONS: 4 ______________ 1 ______________ 1 ______________ 1 ______________ 1 *Alternate OTHERS: 2 Editor of Journal 1 Student Delegate 1 BRANCHES: 20 5* 5* 3* 2* 1* 1* 2* 1* EASTERN SOUTHERN WESTERN SOUTH - NORTH - MID- NORTH MIDLAND OVERSEAS EASTERN WESTERN WESTERN EASTERN BRANCHES

5. BRANCHES Structure of ISCP – Structure of Council Finance & GP EXECUTIVE BOARD Acupuncture Intellectual Disability International Affairs Education Respiratory Care P.R. Neurology & Gerontology Professional Procedures Industrial Relations COUNCIL Sports Women’s Health Research & Development Publications Paediatrics Manipulation Workplace Private Practice Community Care Teachers Management Standing Committees - Committees of Council Employment Groups - Represented on Council Clinical Interest Groups

6. Scope of Practice Bologna Process Articles Review Primary Care Clinical Placements CPD Accreditation Physiotherapy Assistants Statutory Registration ISCP Working Parties

7. Irish Society of Chartered Physiotherapists • Background on the ISCP • International Links • Physiotherapy Education in Ireland • ISCP as Designated Authority • Operational Aspects of Qualification Recognition • Implications of implementing EU Directives • Observation/issues regarding recognition

8. World Confederation of Physical Therapists (WCPT) • 92 member countries (250,000 physiotherapists) • Divided into 5 regions - European (EU & Non-EU) - Asia Western Pacific - North America/Caribbean - Africa - South America • World congress every 4 years

9. European Region - WCPT • 3 core working groups - Educational Matters Working Group - European Matters Working Group - Professional Issues Working Group • Resource standards/policies • Communication with partners • Twining programmes

10. European Region - WCPT European Union Matters Working Party • Migration issues • Health issues in EU • Implications of enlargement • Legislation and Directives within EU

11. Irish Society of Chartered Physiotherapists • Background on the ISCP • International Links • Physiotherapy Education in Ireland • ISCP as Designated Authority • Operational Aspects of Qualification Recognition • Implications of implementing EU Directives • Observation/issues regarding recognition

12. Physiotherapy Education in Ireland • First School of Physiotherapy established 1905 • Links with TCD & awarded first diploma 1957 TCD Degree in physiotherapy 1983 • UCD 1955 UCD Degree in Physiotherapy 1982 • RCSI 1998 • UL 2002

13. Physiotherapy Education in Ireland • 152 graduates per year • Honours degree programme • Postgraduate courses masters & PhDs • ISCP Position Paper on Education recommends 4 year undergraduate model HETAC Level 8 Status

14. I.S.C.P. Role in Physiotherapy Education • ISCP accrediting body since 1995 • Competent authority to approve all programmes leading to physiotherapy qualification (SI 135/1996) • Approved programmes as leading to eligibility for membership of ISCP

15. Irish Society of Chartered Physiotherapists • Background on the ISCP • International Links • Physiotherapy Education in Ireland • ISCP as Designated Authority • Operational Aspects of Qualification Recognition • Implications of implementing EU Directives • Observation/issues regarding recognition

16. Qualifications Recognition Legislative Background • Recognition of physiotherapy under 89/48/EEC • S.I. 135/1996 Irish Society of Chartered Physiotherapists was deemed Designated Authority for physiotherapist acting with approval of Minster of Health

17. I.S.C.P. as Designated Authority • Only designated professional body in therapies • Experts within membership in - Education - Clinical practice - Service organisation and management • Active members reflective of cross section of physiotherapy in Ireland • Active role in ER-WCPT

18. Irish Society of Chartered Physiotherapists • Background on the ISCP • International Links • Physiotherapy Education in Ireland • ISCP as Designated Authority • Operational Aspects of Qualification Recognition • Implications of implementing EU Directives • Observation/issues regarding recognition

19. OASC Committee • Overseas Application Sub-Committee • Function: Qualifications Recognition • Membership representative of education, international affairs, physiotherapy mangers, and academic institutions

20. OASC Activity

21. OASC Activity

22. July 2005/April 2006 Non-national qualification recognition

23. Application Form • Personal Details • Undergraduate Physiotherapy Education • Post-qualifying Clinical Experience • Post-Basic Professional Education

24. DocumentationRequired • Application form • Certified copy of passport • Certified copy of marriage certificate (name change) • Certified Degree Certificate • Certified University Transcripts • Certified English Translations required of Degree • Degree & Transcripts

25. Documentation Required • Evidence of professional recognition in country of qualification • Copy of registration card where applicant is currently practicing • Letter of good standing from registering body where applicant is practicing • Clinical Reference from current and most recent employer • Declaration statement • Application fee

26. Application Process • Application checked by admin. staff • Applicant contacted if information is missing • Only mailed application (no fax, email) • Acknowledgment letter within 10 days • Completed applications forms submitted to OASC for validation • OASC meets every 4 to 6 weeks • Average 8 weeks timeframe for fully- completed applications

27. Application Process • Committee members have reviewed all information in advance • Each application is individually assessed • OASC submits recommendations to ISCP Executive • Executive endorses or rejects OASC recommendations • Appeals

28. Decisions • Application accepted • Application ineligible due to insufficient basic levels of training and qualification • Period of adaptation required • Further verification required

29. Irish Society of Chartered Physiotherapists • Background on the ISCP • International Links • Physiotherapy Education in Ireland • ISCP as Designated Authority • Operational Aspects of Qualification Recognition • Implications of implementing EU Directives • Observation/issues regarding recognition

30. Implications of implementing EU directives ISCP perspective • Welcomes EU directives • Increase mobility 2 way • Progress to standardise physiotherapy in Europe

31. Implications of implementing EU directives ISCP perspective • ER-WCPT approx 500 physiotherapist move per year (Membership 35 countries) • ISCP:120 EU applications in 2004/2005 115 EU applications 10 months 2005/2006 • ISCP membership 2400 • Total physiotherapy population in Ireland > 3000

32. Implications of implementing EU directives ISCP perspective • Different level of training and learning outcomes • Different fields of activity/Scope of Practice • Level of responsibility • Language requirements • Different levels of practice • Mobility vs. patient safety

33. EU 2005/2006 applicants

34. Compensation Measures • Period of Adaptation - Responsible for sourcing - 2003 Survey - Increase demands • Aptitude Test - Final phases of preparation - Administrative issues, costs

35. Period of Adaptation

36. EU directives & Employment Legislation • Section 13 of Employment Equality Act, 1998 states:"A body which -(a) ----- (b) is a professional or trade organisation, or(c) controls entry to, or the carrying on of, a profession, vocation or occupation,shall not discriminate against a person in relation to membership of that body or any benefits, other than pension rights, provided by it or in relation to entry to, or the carrying on of, that profession, vocation or occupation."

37. EU directives & Employment Legislation • Section 6(2) Employment Equality Act 1998-2004 outlaws discrimination ''they are different race, colour, nationality, ethnic or national origins'' • EU directive 2004/43/EC equal treatment irrespective of racial or ethnic origin

38. Directive 2005/36 Article 5 Member States shall not restrict, freedom of services on temporary or occasional basis • Service provided is legally established in MSO • Legally practiced profession in home Member State for 2 of past 10 years, where it is not regulated in that State • Conditions of 2 years shall not apply if profession or education and training is regulated

39. Implications of implementing EU directives • Distinguishing between temporary/occasional and establishment services • Defining temporary period, case by case • In relation to duration, frequency, regularity and continuity

40. Implications of implementing EU directives Article 5.3 • Service provider shall be subject to professional rules of professional, statutory or administrative nature which are directly linked to professional qualifications

41. Implications of implementing EU directives Article 6 (a) • Exempt form requirements to registrar with professional organisation or body • However for disciplinary procedures pro forma automatic membership of professional body • Provided it does not delay or complicate provision of services • Does not entail any extra cost

42. Implications of implementing EU directives Article 7 • Shall inform competent authority • Member state may request certain documents Article 7.4 • Under public health and safety may check qualifications prior to first provision of service to avoid serious damage to health and safety of service recipient due to a lack of professional qualifications of the service provider

43. Implications of implementing EU directives • Timescale: notified 1st month, decision 2nd month • Opportunity to show acquired knowledge • In particular by means of aptitude test • Aptitude test with month of decision • In absence of reaction of the competent authority service may be provided

44. Implications of implementing EU directives Article 8 • Competent authority of host member state may ask competent authority of other states info on legality of service providers establishment, good conduct, absence of disciplinary or criminal sanctions of professional nature • ISCP membership is not compulsory • Statutory registration

45. Implications of implementing EU directives Article 15 • ''Common Platform'' • Submitted to commission by member states or professional organisations • If facilitates mutual recognition may make proposals to Regulatory Committee

46. Implications of implementing EU directives Article 15.4 • "Member states should retain the right to lay down the minimum level of qualification required to ensure the quality of services provided on their territory" • Variations in training • Variation in Scope of Physiotherapy Practice

47. ER-WCPT Common Platform • Agree in broad vision to develop common platform • Investigating in each member states - Regulations - Level of qualifications - Compensation requirements requested - Information on core curriculum - Physiotherapy legislation

48. ER-WCPT Common Platform • Workshop Common Platform and Regulation of Physiotherapy in Europe (24th of May 2006) • Workshop Panel Discussions • Legislation, Regulation & Common Platform • Minimum requirements for professional practice • Substantial difference in Europe • Recognition of professional experience • Continuing professional development • Adaptation periods & aptitude tests

49. Implications of implementing EU directives Article 53 • Knowledge of Languages '' persons benefiting from the recognition of professional qualifications shall have a knowledge of languages necessary for practising in the host member state'' • How will this be applied?

50. Implications of implementing EU directives Article 56 • exchange of information on sanctions, disciplinary procedures in relation to right to practice