Physiotherapy Extension

Press, Volume CIX, Issue 32032, 5 July 1969, Page 46

Physiotherapy Extension

(N.Z. Press Association) WELLINGTON, July 4. The Physiotherapy Board, under legislation introduced in Parliament this morning, will be allowed to enter the field of postgraduate education.

The bill when passed will authorise the board to lay down a syllabus for postgraduate study, conduct examinations and issue postgraduate certificates. Introducing the Physiotherapy Amendment Bill, the Minister of Health (Mr McKay) said the 19-clause amending bill was mainly of a miscellaneous nature, but taken collectively modernised the Physiotherapy Act to make it more suitable for present circumstances. Some Of the clauses, he said, were purely of an administrative nature to streamline present procedures relating to practising certificates, provisional and temporary registration, keeping the register of physiotherapists, and like matters. The bill also authorises the establishment by the Physiotherapy Board of committees which will inquire into and report on matters referred to each committee by the board.

A new procedure in respect of .the issue of ultrasonic licences is also envisaged in the bill. At present each application for a licence to use ultrasonic therapy apparatus is referred to the board for its/decision. The bill allows the registrar of the board, acting on the general or specific directions of the board, to grant or refuse an application, provided that no licence may be refused unless the registrar has first obtained a direction to that effect from the board. The amending bill also rc-

defines professional offences, mainly to clarify existing law.

It provides that companies may not claim to render physiotherapy services unless they have a registered physiotherapist in their employ. The bill was given a first reading and a pro forma second reading before being referred to the Social Services Committee for further consideration.