REGULATION OF EDUCATIONAL AND BEHAVIOURAL THERAPY SERVICE PROVIDERS

NOTICE PAPER NO. 2449 
NOTICE OF QUESTION FOR ORAL ANSWER
FOR THE SITTING OF PARLIAMENT ON 09 JANUARY 2024

Name and Constituency of Member of Parliament
Assoc Prof Razwana Begum Abdul Rahim
Nominated MP

Question No. 5502

To ask the Minister for Health whether the Government will consider regulating providers of educational and behavioral therapy services under the Allied Health Professions Act 2011 to ensure that they are suitably trained and qualified to practice.

Written Answer

1.     Currently, the Allied Health Professions Act (AHPA) provides for the registration of five allied health professions, Diagnostic Radiographers, Occupational Therapists, Physiotherapists, Radiation Therapists, and Speech Therapists. 

2.     Other professions who work in healthcare institutions such as psychologists, including those who provide behavioural therapy services have existing safeguards in place as they are subject to the clinical governance framework of the healthcare institutions, and existing healthcare legislations such as the Healthcare Services Act (HCSA) in healthcare settings. In non-healthcare settings such as MSF-funded early intervention programmes, operators may employ therapists, psychologists and other professionals to provide therapy services. Where necessary, the funding agreements specify the minimum qualifications and training required, before staff can be deployed to provide such services. 

3.     We will continue to perform risk assessments of various allied health professions to consider if these professions will need to be registered.