Press release
Minister for Health announces new training programme that will allow physiotherapists to refer patients for investigations
From Department of Health
Published on
Last updated on
From Department of Health
Published on
Last updated on
The Minister for Health Stephen Donnelly today announced that physiotherapists working in relevant roles across the health service will soon be invited to apply to train for the authority to refer patients for radiological procedures. The first group of physiotherapists will begin training in University College Dublin (UCD) in September 2024.
An important priority for the Minister for Health is to support healthcare professionals to deliver effective and efficient patient care. Designating appropriately trained physiotherapists to refer people for radiological procedures will result in fewer steps in the care of patients who require diagnostics, improve patient experiences and optimise the expansion of our healthcare service provision. The development of this training programme is funded by the Department of Health through the Sláintecare Integration Innovation Fund.
Minister Donnelly said:
"I am delighted to announce details of the decision to designate appropriately trained physiotherapists as referrers for radiological procedures. This will result in fewer steps in the care of patients who require diagnostics, including x-ray. It will also support existing care pathways with a focus on modernising them and introducing efficiency. I wish to acknowledge the valuable contribution made by our physiotherapists who are continuously working to ensure the best outcomes for patients.
"Finding, supporting, and scaling innovative new ways of providing care is fundamental to delivering Sláintecare. Working in partnership can help us reach Sláintecare’s goals of reducing waiting lists and improving experiences for patients and staff across the health and social care service in Ireland."
A legislative amendment is required to designate physiotherapists as referrers for radiological procedures, including x-rays, and consideration is being given to how this practice will operate and its integration across and within clinical services. The Expert Working Group, established in March 2024, is supporting the development and implementation of this policy. This group includes representation from the Department of Health, Health Service Executive, CORU, UCD, and the Irish Society of Chartered Physiotherapists.
The Physiotherapist Referral for Radiological Procedures Expert Working Group was established in March 2024 to support the development and implementation of this policy. This includes the development of relevant training courses, establishing clinical and regulatory oversight, and an amendment to relevant legislation.
Currently, physiotherapists can refer for radiological investigations, including x-rays, in several jurisdictions including England, Sweden, Canada and New Zealand. The evidence base has identified many advantages for the patient and the health care service and does not identify any serious adverse events reported following referral for radiological medical procedures by physiotherapists with advanced training.
The first group of physiotherapists will begin training in UCD in September 2024.