The public have until Monday 2 December to submit comments on the draft of the Health Care Professionals Bill 2014, which is currently out to public consultation.
The draft Bill, if approved by Tynwald and its branches, will make it mandatory for all doctors on the Island to be revalidated as fit to practice by the General Medical Council every five years. It will also require chiropractors and osteopaths practising on the Island to be registered with their respective regulators, the General Chiropractic Council and the General Osteopathic Council, adding better safeguards and protection for the public who use their services.
Minister for Health, David Anderson MHK, said:
'This will be an important piece of legislation which will help to raise standards and, in doing so, will further improve patient safety and strengthen public confidence in doctors, chiropractors and osteopaths practising on the Island. The Department would welcome any comments from the public, professionals, and organisations no later than 2 December.'
Following consultation and any amendment to the draft Bill, it will be presented to both the House of Keys and the Legislative Council, with a view to receiving Royal Assent in time for Tynwald’s summer recess in July 2014, meaning that the revalidation process can begin next summer.
A copy of the consultation document can be found online.
