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Council for the Professions Complementary to Medicine – Annual Report 2007

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ANNUAL REPORT

OF THE

COUNCIL FOR THE PROFESSIONS COMPLEMENTARY TO MEDICINE - MALTA

YEAR 2007

Published by the Council for the Professions Complementary to Medicine 181, Melita Street, Valletta, Malta.

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INDEX

Introduction by the President page 3 1. Composition of the CPCM 4

2. Meetings and attendances 7

3. Sub-committees of the CPCM 9

4. Electoral Commissions 13

5. Interviews held by Adjudicating Panels nominated by the CPCM 13

6. The Registers of the CPCM 14 7. Applications for registration 15 8. New Registrations 15 9. Registration certificates 18 10. Health Care Professionals Appeals Committee – Election for the representative of a health care professional regulated by the CPCM 18 11. Cases of Appeals 19 12. Consultation Draft Report submitted by Local and Foreign Authorities 20 13. Request to consider the regulation of the graduates/diplomas in Audiological Science 21 14. Complaints 21 15. Conferences 21 16. Continuing Professional Development Fees 22 17. Concurrent Practice 22 18. Internal Market Information System 22

19. Registration of Psychotherapists 23

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As President of the Council for the Professions Complementary to Medicine, I can state that it was a very busy and active year, and had it not been for the professional cooperation of all the members, this Council would not have been so successful in its' works. The Council for the Professions Complementary to Medicine had to face new challenges especially in the light of the new legislation and policies. The co-operation, hard work and dedication of the Registrar and all the Council members gave the necessary input for the success of last year’s work and I am sure that the year 2008 will be more active and possibly more fruitful. I am pleased to have formed part of this dynamic Council and look forward for the challenges of this year. Dr. Martin Fenech President February, 2008

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1. Composition of the Council for the Professions Complementary

to Medicine (CPCM) From 1st January 2007 to 2nd March, 2007 the Council for the Professions Complementary to Medicine was composed as follows: President

Dr. Martin Fenech LLD Appointed Members

Ms. Susannah Chetcuti Ganado Ms. Eve Grixti Ms. Magda Magri Naudi Ms. Maria Carmela Seychell Ms. Nicolette Zammit Lupi Elected Members Dr. Joseph Agius Mr. Victor Grixti Mr. Edward Gruppetta Mr. Andrew Scicluna Mr. Paul Spiteri Ms. Stephanie Vella Mr. Renato Zerafa Registrar Ms. Gillian Mifsud

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During March/April 2007 a postal ballot election was held and the elected members were declared elected for a period of three years as from the 12th April, 2007. On the 31st July, 2007 the Minister of Health, the Elderly and Community Care issued the appointments of the President and the Appointed Members for a period of three years as from 12th April, 2007. Subsequently, the Council for the Professions Complementary to Medicine was composed as follows: President

Dr. Martin Fenech LLD Appointed Members

Ms. Susannah Chetcuti Ganado Ms. Magda Magri Naudi Mr. Jean Carle Pirotta

Ms. Maria Carmela Seychell Ms. Nicolette Zammit Lupi Elected Members Dr. Joseph Agius Ms. Jacqueline Bartolo

Mr. Mario Camilleri Mr. Victor Grixti

Mr. Edward Gruppetta Ms. Stephanie Vella Mr. Renato Zerafa Registrar Ms. Gillian Mifsud

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i. Dr. Martin Fenech LLD was re-appointed as the President of the Council for the Professions Complementary to Medicine by the Prime Minister for a 3-year term of office with effect from 12th April, 2007 as per Part V Article 26 (1) (a) of the Health Care Professions Act (Cap. 464). The letter of appointment was issued on 31st July, 2007.

ii. Ms. Susannah Chetcuti Ganado (Optometrist), Mr. Jean Carle

Pirotta (Podiatrist) and Ms. Maria Carmela Seychell (Dental Hygienist), were appointed by the Prime Minister, as members of the Council for the Professions Complementary to Medicine for a 3-year term of office with effect from 12th April, 2007, as per Part V Article 26 (1) (d) of the Health Care Professions Act (Cap. 464). The letters of appointment were issued on 31st July, 2007.

iii. Ms. Magda Magri Naudi and Ms. Nicolette Zammit Lupi, lay

persons representing the public, were appointed by the Prime Minister, according to Part V Art. 26 (1) (b) of the Health Care Professions Act (Cap. 464), for a 3-year term of office with effect from 12th April, 2007. The letters of appointment were issued on 31st July, 2007.

iv. Following a call for the nomination of candidates to fill seven

vacancies from amongst the professions regulated by the Council for the Professions Complementary to Medicine, ten nominations were received. Subsequently a postal ballot election was held. On the 12th April, 2007 the Election Commissioners conducted the counting of the votes and the result was as follows:

Name of candidates and profession Votes obtained

Mr. Renato Zerafa 182 ELECTED Medical Laboratory Scientist Mr. Mario Camilleri 159 ELECTED Environmental Health Officer Mr. Victor Grixti 138 ELECTED Physiotherapist

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Ms. Stephanie Vella 137 ELECTED Occupational Therapist Dr. Joseph Agius 136 ELECTED Speech Language Pathologist Mr. Edward Gruppetta 133 ELECTED Radiographer

Ms. Jacqueline Bartolo 117 ELECTED Dental Technologist

Mr. Andrew Scicluna 95 Podiatrist Mr. Jeremy Lanfranco 78 Dental Hygienist Mr. Ivan Farrugia 72 Podiatrist Hence Dr. Joseph Agius, Ms. Jacqueline Bartolo, Mr. Mario Camilleri, Mr. Victor Grixti, Mr. Edward Gruppetta, Ms. Stephanie Vella and Mr. Renato Zerafa were elected from 12th April, 2007 for a period of three years as per Article 26 (1) (c) of the Health Care Professions Act (Cap. 464).

2. Meetings and Attendances i. During 2007 the Council for the Professions Complementary to

Medicine held ten (10) meetings all of which were of an administrative nature.

ii. Dr. Martin Fenech attended all the ten meetings of the Council for

the Professions Complementary to Medicine.

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iii. Attendance of members.

January to March 2007 2 meetings

Member Attended Excused Absent Ms. Susannah Chetcuti Ganado 2 - - Ms. Eve Grixti 2 - - Ms. Magda Magri Naudi 1 1 - Ms. Maria Carmela Seychell 2 - - Ms. Nicolette Zammit Lupi 2 - - Dr. Joseph Agius 2 - - Mr. Victor Grixti 1 1 - Mr. Edward Gruppetta 1 1 - Mr. Andrew Scicluna 2 - - Mr. Paul Spiteri 2 - - Ms. Stephanie Vella 2 - - Mr. Renato Zerafa 2 - -

August - December 2007 8 meetings

Member Attended Excused Absent Ms. Susannah Chetcuti Ganado 6 2 - Ms. Magda Magri Naudi 7 1 - Mr. Jean Carle Pirotta 5 3 Ms. Maria Carmela Seychell 8 - - Ms. Nicolette Zammit Lupi 6 2 - Dr. Joseph Agius 8 - - Ms. Jacqueline Bartolo 7 1 Mr. Mario Camilleri 6 2 Mr. Victor Grixti 8 - - Mr. Edward Gruppetta 6 2 - Ms. Stephanie Vella 5 3 - Mr. Renato Zerafa 5 3 -

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3. Sub-committees of the Council for the Professions

Complementary to Medicine i. The Council for the Professions Complementary to Medicine

appointed the sub-committees shown hereunder in accordance with Part V Article 26 (3) and (4) of the Health Care Professions Act, Cap. 464 to recommend upon specific matters pertaining to each of these professions and to report and advise the Council upon documents and qualifications from both local and foreign health care professionals regulated by the CPCM :-

January – March 2007 Acupuncturists sub-committee Mr. Victor Grixti (Chairperson) Mr. Yiquan Xu Chiropractors sub-committee Ms. Stephanie Vella (Chairperson) Ms. Elaine Marie McDougall Portelli Mr. Michael Edward Solan Clinical Perfusionists sub-committee Mr. Renato Zerafa (Chairperson) Mr. Peter Gatt Mr. Carmel Grima Dental Hygienists sub-committee Ms. Eve Grixti (Chairperson) Ms. Maria Carmela Seychell Mr. Jeremy Lanfranco Dental Technologists sub-committee Ms. Maria Carmela Seychell (Chairperson) Ms. Eve Grixti Mr. John Salomone Reynaud Dietitians sub-committee Ms. Eve Grixti (Chairperson) Mr. Mario Caruana Ms. Nicolette Zammit Lupi (Temp.) Environmental Health Officers Mr. Renato Zerafa (Chairperson) sub-committee Mr. Paul Spiteri Mr. Clive Tonna

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Medical Lab. Scientists sub-committee Mr. Paul Spiteri (Chairperson) Mr. Renato Zerafa Mr. Noel Ciantar Nutritionists sub-committee Ms. Eve Grixti (Chairperson) Mr. Joseph Magri Ms. Lucy Ann Pace Occupational Therapists Dr. Joe Agius (Chairperson) sub-committee Ms. Stephanie Vella Ms. Liliana Agius Optometrists sub-committee Mr. Andrew Scicluna (Chairperson) Ms. Susannah Chetcuti Ganado Mr. Kerstien Gabarretta Orthoptists sub-committee Mr. Andrew Scicluna (Chairperson)

Mr. Martin Francalanza Physiotherapists sub-committee Dr. Joe Agius (Chairperson) Mr. Victor Grixti Ms. Vanya Aquilina Podiatrists sub-committee Ms. Stephanie Vella (Chairperson) Mr. Andrew Scicluna Mr. Alfred Gatt **Psychotherapists sub-committee Ms. Magda Magri Naudi Mr. Andrew Scicluna Ms. Nicolette Zammit Lupi Radiographers sub-committee Mr. Andrew Scicluna (Chairperson) Mr. Edward Gruppetta Mr. Paul Bezzina Speech Language Pathologists Mr. Victor Grixti (Chairperson) sub-committee Dr. Joe Agius Ms. Rita Micallef ** This Sub-committee was temporarily appointed to draw up the criteria to be used by the Council when considering applications for registration of Psychotherapists.

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From August 2007 onwards Acupuncturists sub-committee Mr. Victor Grixti (Chairperson) Mr. Xu Yiquan Ms. Shan Peralta Chiropractors sub-committee Ms. Stephanie Vella (Chairperson) Ms. Elaine Marie McDougall Portelli Mr. Russell Hornstein Clinical Perfusionists Mr. Renato Zerafa (Chairperson) Sub-committee Mr. Peter Gatt Mr. Carmel Grima Dental Hygienists sub-committee Ms. Jacqueline Bartolo (Chairperson) Ms. Maria Carmela Seychell Mr. Jeremy Lanfranco Dental Technologists Ms. Maria Carmela Seychell (Chairperson) sub-committee Ms. Jacqueline Bartolo Mr. John Salomone Reynaud Dietitians sub-committee Ms. Magda Magri Naudi (Chairperson) Mr. Mario Caruana Environmental Health Officers Mr. Renato Zerafa (Chairperson) sub-committee Mr. Mario Camilleri Mr. Clive Tonna Medical Lab. Scientists Mr. Mario Camilleri (Chairperson) Sub-committee Mr. Renato Zerafa Mr. Noel Ciantar Nutritionists sub-committee Ms. Magda Magri Naudi (Chairperson) Mr. Joseph Magri Ms. Maria Ellul Occupational Therapists Dr. Joe Agius (Chairperson) sub-committee Ms. Stephanie Vella Ms. Liliana Agius

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Optometrists sub-committee Mr. Jean Claude Pirotta (Chairperson) Ms. Susannah Chetcuti Ganado Mr. Kerstien Gabarretta Orthoptists sub-committee Mr. Jean Claude Pirotta (Chairperson) Mr. Martin Francalanza Physiotherapists sub-committee Dr. Joe Agius (Chairperson) Mr. Victor Grixti Ms. Vanya Aquilina Podiatrists sub-committee Ms. Stephanie Vella (Chairperson) Mr. Jean Claude Pirotta Mr. Alfred Gatt Radiographers sub-committee Mr. Jean Claude Pirotta (Chairperson) Mr. Edward Gruppetta Mr. Paul Bezzina Speech Language Pathologists Mr. Victor Grixti (Chairperson) sub-committee Dr. Joe Agius Ms. Rita Micallef ii. During the meeting held on 6th December, 2007 the CPCM

appointed a sub-committee to evaluate and provide recommendations to the CPCM regarding methods how the Council can implement the concept of Continuing Professional Development and also to submit suggestions to the CPCM about the procedure to be adopted regarding fees. This sub-committee is composed of Dr. Joseph Agius, Ms. Jacqueline Bartolo, Mr. Victor Grixti, Mr. Edward Gruppetta and Ms. Gillian Mifsud (Registrar).

iii. Ms. Stephanie Vella was re-appointed as a representative of the

CPCM on the Broadcasting Authority Advisory Committee on Medicinal Treatment Advertising.

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4. Electoral Commissions i. During the first meeting of the CPCM held in January 2007, the

Council approved the appointments of the Election Commissioners who will conduct the elections for 2007 due to the fact that the elected members’ appointments were due to expire on the 2nd March, 2007. The Election Commission was composed of Mr. Paul Spiteri, Ms. Nicolette Zammit Lupi and Ms. Gillian Mifsud (Registrar).

ii. During the first meeting of the newly appointed CPCM held on the

23rd August, the Council appointed Dr. Joseph Agius, Mr. Victor Grixti, Ms. Stephanie Vella and Ms. Nicolette Zammit Lupi as electoral commissioners to conduct the election to have elected a health care professional regulated by the CPCM where the appeal concerns a member of a health care profession regulated by the Council in accordance to Part IX Article 49 (e) (iv) of the Health Care Professions Act. The appointment of the elected health care professional representing the CPCM on the Health Care Professionals Appeals Committee was to expire on the 26th August, 2007.

5. Interviews held by Adjudicating Panels nominated by the

Council for the Professions Complementary to Medicine

Four interviews were conducted during the current year - three involved applicants who were requesting registration in the Medical Laboratory Science Register while the other one was applying to be registered in the Dental Technology Register. These interviews were conducted by Adjudicating Panels appointed by the CPCM specifically after the relevant sub-committees had evaluated the documents submitted by the applicant and then recommended that before a decision can be taken, an interview had to be held to clarify certain issues in connection with the documents presented and ascertain the knowledge of the health care professional. The outcome of the interviews was as follows:

• Two were not successful and the applicants were not registered with the CPCM

• Two of the applicants were requested to undergo practical training in specific fields related to their profession.

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6. The Registers of the Council for the Professions

Complementary to Medicine

The registers consist of the names, addresses, relevant qualifications, registration date and number of health care professionals registered with the Council.

ACUPUNCTURISTS 20

CHIROPRACTORS 6 CLINICAL PERFUSIONISTS 4 DENTAL HYGIENISTS 21 DENTAL TECHNOLOGISTS 41 DIETITIANS 2 ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH OFFICERS 160 MEDICAL LABORATORY SCIENTISTS 329

NUTRITIONISTS 16

OCCUPATIONAL THERAPISTS 110 OPTOMETRISTS 9 ORTHOPTIST 1 PHYSIOTHERAPISTS 278 PODIATRISTS 40 PSYCHOTHERAPIST 1 RADIOGRAPHERS 174 SPEECH LANGUAGE PATHOLOGISTS 102

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7. Applications for registration During the year 2007, the Council for the Professions Complementary to Medicine received the following applications from health care professionals for registration:- Acupuncturist 6 Dental Technologists 2 Medical Laboratory Scientists 11 Nutritionists 5 Occupational Therapists 10 Physiotherapists 20 Psychotherapists 45 Radiographers 14. The majority of the applications were received from Maltese citizens who followed health care related courses held at the Institute of Health Care, University of Malta. Other applications were submitted by European Union and Non-European Union Citizens. 8. New Registrations i. During the year 2007, the Council for the Professions

Complementary to Medicine approved the registration of:- Dental Technologist* 1 Nutritionists** 3 Physiotherapists*** 2 Psychotherapist 1 in accordance with Article 28 (1) of the Health Care Professions Act, 2003 (Cap. 464). These health care professionals hold European Union citizenship.

* The Dental Technologist was registered by the Council for the Professions Complementary to Medicine as directed by the Health Care Professions Appeals Committee.

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** One of the Nutritionists was already registered in the Nutrition

Register (Non EU List) but he applied to be duly registered in the Nutrition Register (EU List) since being a Romanian, he was entitled to full registration after Romania became an EU member state on 1st January, 2007.

*** One of the Physiotherapists was already registered in the Physiotherapy Register (Non EU List) but she applied to be duly registered in the Physiotherapy Register (EU List) since being a Bulgarian citizen, she was entitled to obtain full registration after Bulgaria became an EU member state on 1st January, 2007.

ii. The Council for the Professions Complementary to Medicine also

approved the registration of:- Medical Laboratory Scientist 1 Nutritionist 1 Physiotherapist 1 for a period of two years in accordance with Article 28 (2) of the Health Care Professions Act, 2003 (Cap. 464) since they are all Non European Union citizens.

iii. During the year in review, the Council for the Professions

Complementary to Medicine received the following applications for temporary registration from:-

Medical Laboratory Scientists 6 Occupational Therapists 9 Physiotherapists 13 Radiographers 10 They had successfully completed their respective course at the University of Malta. All were given temporary registration up till 31st December 2007 in accordance with Article 28 (3) of the Health Care Professions Act, 2003.

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After they graduated on the 4th December 2007 the CPCM approved their registration in the respective register as from 20th December 2007 in accordance with Article 28 (1) (a) of the Health Care Professions Act. An Occupational Therapist and two Physiotherapists did not apply for permanent registration before the last yearly meeting of the CPCM was held. All of these health care professionals were Maltese.

The Council has also approved the registration of 3 Physiotherapists who had not applied for temporary registration but applied specifically for permanent registration after they graduated on the 4th December 2007. These were registered in the Physiotherapy Register as from 20th December 2007 in accordance with Article 28 (1) (a) of the Health Care Professions Act.

Moreover, during the first meeting of the Council held in January 2007, the Council approved the registration of a Medical Laboratory Scientist who was temporary registered up to 31st December, 2006 but had not applied in time for permanent registration in 2006. Thus she was registered in the Medical Laboratory Science register with effect from 11th January, 2007.

Approval to perform temporary health care services within St. Luke’s Hospital

During the year in review the Council approved the requests made by Dr. John M. Cachia, Director General (Health Care Services) to allow certain health care professionals, who form part of medical teams, to perform their professional duties within St. Luke’s Hospital for a specific period of time. All the health care professionals submitted proof of their current registration with the Health Professions Council in the UK:-

• A Dietitian and a Physiotherapist - from 19th to 21st March • A Physiotherapist – from 3rd to 5th September.

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9. Registration certificates

After the publication of ‘the Council for the Professions Complementary to Medicine (Standing Orders) Regulations’ through Legal Notice 314 of 2006 in December 2006, the Registrar made the necessary arrangements to print the new format of the registrations certificates, the registers of the Council and the new embossing seal. During the months of March and April 2007 all the registration certificates of those health care professionals who were registered after the enactment of the Health Care Professions Act (Cap 464) in November 2003, which amounted to more than 200, were issued.

10. Health Care Professionals Appeals Committee – Election for a

representative of a health care professional regulated by the CPCM

In September 2007 the call for nominations for one person from amongst the professions regulated by the Council for the Professions Complementary to Medicine as a member of the Appeals Committee was published. Two nominations were received and an election by postal ballot in accordance to the provisions of Regulation 6 (2) of the Appeals Committee (Elections) Regulations, 2004, was held. On the 15th October, the Election Commissioners conducted the counting of the votes and the result was as follows:

Name of candidates and profession Votes obtained

Mr. Anthony Pizzuto 93 ELECTED Medical Laboratory Scientist

Mr. Andrew Scicluna 58 Podiatrist Therefore, Mr. Anthony Pizzuto was declared elected as a member of the Appeals Committee for a period of three (3) years as from the 16th October, 2007.

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11. Cases of Appeals (i) A decision was given by the Health Care Professions Appeals

Committee on the 3rd January 2007 regarding the appeal filed up by an applicant who was refused registration in the Dental Technology Register kept by the CPCM. The hearing of the case was held in 2006. The Appeals Committee concluded that the CPCM has gone against the spirit of the provisions of the directive 2005/36/EC and against the provision of the Mutual Recognition Qualifications Act and thus upheld the appeal of the applicant and ordered the CPCM to register the applicant in the Dental Technology Register.

The CPCM had to abide by the decision of the Appeals Committee and register the applicant in question whilst informing the applicant that the CPCM is of the opinion that this registration is still illegal. Subsequently, after consulting with Mr. Anthony Degiovanni who is the Director, Mutual Recognition Co-Ordinator, the CPCM wrote to the Health Care Professions Appeals Committee informing them that the CPCM feels that the decision in question was made on concepts which are not in accordance to the Law and thus the Committee should seriously reconsider its’ decision. The CPCM disassociate itself from this enforced registration. (ii) An appeal was filed in September by an applicant who was refused registration in the Register of Medical Laboratory Science kept by the CPCM. The case was not being heard during the year in review.

(iii) Another appeal was filed in December by an applicant who

was not favourably considered for registration in the Nutrition Register kept by the CPCM. The hearing of the case will be held in 2008.

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12. Consultation Draft Reports submitted by Local and Foreign Authorities

The CPCM received various reports from foreign Regulatory Bodies for the Council’s feedback and recommendations. These included a WHO Report regarding focal points for Manual Therapies, Statement regarding the EU Healthcare Professional Crossing project and The General Memorandum of Understanding Covering the Proactive and Case-by-Case Exchange of Disciplinary Information, etc. The CPCM evaluated the reports and forwarded its recommendations to the Authorities concerned.

During the meeting held in September the CPCM discussed in

detail the final Draft document – Requirements as to Standards and Practice and Requirements as to Advertisements, Methods of Advertising and Directions Applicable to Medicinal Products and Treatments and Programs involving the Participation of Certain Health Care Professional in the Broadcasting Media. This draft document was drawn up by the Malta Broadcasting Authority with the participation of representatives of the Regulatory Councils and other Health Authorities. The CPCM representative was Ms. Stephanie Vella. The Council suggested some amendments to the final draft report.

In October 2007 Dr. Ray Busuttil, the Director General Public Health Regulations, submitted for the CPCM consideration and feedback the proposed amendments to the Health Care Professions Act in order to include the new EU directive (2005/36/EC) regarding the recognition of professional qualifications. On the 18th October the CPCM held an ad hoc meeting to discuss this draft Act and submitted its feedback to Dr. Busuttil. In November the Council was requested by Mr. Anthony Degiovanni, Director at the Ministry of Education, to consider and report upon two curricula of the Slovak health courses namely those of the Dental Technician and the Medical Laboratory Technician. These courses were being given consideration by the EU Committee to be included in the Annex II to Directive 2005/36/EC. After going through the information provided, the Council submitted its position regarding the description of these courses.

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13. Request to consider the regulation of the graduates/diplomas in

Audiological Science The CPCM received a request from Dr. J. M. Cachia, Director

General (Health Care Services) to consider registration of those persons who practice the profession of Audiological Science. Before the Council can decide upon this request, the CPCM has to obtain information regarding this profession from foreign authorities and is also in the process of consulting individuals who are knowledgeable and well-informed about this profession.

14. Complaints

During the year in review, the Council for the Professions Complementary to Medicine received information from both health care professionals and the general public regarding individuals who were not registered with the CPCM and who were allegedly performing the duties of health care professionals regulated by the Council. The Council passed over the information to the competent Authorities so as to investigate and take the necessary steps to stop the abuses. Moreover, in certain cases the Council notified the individual concerned or his/her employer that according to the Health Care Professions Act no one could practice any health care profession regulated by the CPCM if not duly registered with the Council.

15. Conferences Members of the CPCM and/or the Registrar attended conferences held locally, organized by different government entities. These were very limited, due to lack of approval of funds.

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16. Continuing Professional Development Fees

During this year, the Council obtained more information regarding the concept of continuing professional development from foreign Regulatory Bodies. In the meeting held on the 6th December the Council appointed a sub-committee to discuss in detail these two items. The sub-committee is to prepare methods of procedures as regards continuous professional development and draft recommendations regarding fees to be discussed by the CPCM.

17. Concurrent Practice

In September 2007 the Council received a request from a health care professional, who was already registered as a Physiotherapist and an Occupational Therapist with the CPCM to make the necessary recommendations to the Minister of Health, the Elderly and Community Care to able him to practice the two health care professions concurrently as stipulated in Part I Article 4 of the Health Care Professions Act. Following the Council’s recommendations, the Minister submitted his approval. This was the first request received by the CPCM regarding concurrent practice of two health care professions.

18. Internal Market Information System The European Commission in conjunction with the EU member

states has developed an Internal Market Information (IMI) system. The project is intended to help meet important objectives related to the renewed Lisbon Strategy, the Better Regulation agenda and the e-Government 2010 targets. The legal basis for IMI is the body of internal market legislation in general and in particular the revised Professional Qualifications Directive (2005/36/EC) and the Services Directive (2006/123/EC). The main actors in the IMI system will be the competent authorities throughout the EEA who will use IMI to exchange information relating to multiple areas of Internal Market legislation. IMI will make available a simple tool to address requests to authorities in other Members States, through

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a structured set of questions, based on specific areas of EU legislation. As a competent authority which regulates several health care professionals in Malta, the CPCM was contacted by the Ministry for Competitiveness and Communications, who is responsible for the implementation of the IMI, regarding this system. In fact it was agreed that the first phase of the IMI system will start in the beginning of October 2007 and this phase will involve four professions namely the Doctors, Pharmacists, Physiotherapists (which is regulated by the CPCM) and Accountants. In November 2007 the CPCM was registered in the IMI System.

19. Registration of Psychotherapists

During the year in review the CPCM received 45 new applications from individuals who were requesting to be registered in the Psychotherapy Register kept by the CPCM. The majority of the applicants presented as their main qualification in Psychotherapy the Diploma in Gestalt Psychotherapy issued by the Gestalt Training Institute in Malta. Others submitted qualifications in Family therapy. In 2007, the Council approved the registration of one Psychotherapist who had applied in December, 2006 and had obtained his Psychotherapy qualifications from foreign Institutions. The CPCM discussed this profession during all the meetings held during this year. In fact the CPCM held two Council meetings specifically to discuss Psychotherapy. The Council consulted with stakeholders including the Education Department – Malta Qualification Recognition Information Centre, Fr. Joseph Calleja (a registered psychotherapist), Dr. Lidija Pecotic (Director of the Gestalt Psychotherapy Training Institute in Malta) and Dr. Joseph Cassar (Psychiatrist) to acquire further opinions and information regarding this profession. The Council is still assessing the applications in hand. It is envisaged that a decision will be taken and communicated in 2008.

Gillian Mifsud REGISTRAR

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