457 healthcare professionals in LImerick have now been registered with CORU, the Government body established to regulate certain professions.
Up until relatively recently many of Ireland’s health and social care professionals were not regulated.
CORU, Ireland’s regulator for health and social care professionals, was set up to regulate these professionals and consequently provide more protection for the public.
The professions regulated by CORU include social workers, dietitians, occupational therapists, optometrists, dispensing opticians, physiotherapists, radiographers, radiation therapists and speech and language therapists.
In the future, clinical biochemists; medical scientists; orthoptists; podiatrists; psychologists and social care workers will also be regulated by CORU.
CORU chief executive Ginny Hanrahan said that while most people may not think of themselves as a patient/service user of a health or social care professional, many would be under their care on occasions throughout our lifetime.
Therefore, it is important that we protect the public by promoting high standards of professional education, training and competence among registrants of the designated professions.”
“We do this by ensuring that registered practitioners are qualified for their profession, that they meet all registration requirements including Garda vetting and that they adhere to their profession specific Code of Professional Conduct and Ethics.
“Someone calling themselves a dietitian, for example, who is not registered with CORU, is breaking the law,” she said.
“If there are ever serious concerns about a health and social care professional’s practice or behaviour we can investigate this through our fitness to practise process. If we find an individual has not met our standards, we may take action. In the most serious cases, we can stop a professional from practising.
“These professionals are making a very important commitment to operate to the highest standards and to deliver safe care to their clients and patients. We are delighted to now have over 12,000 professionals nationwide and 457 from Limerick, registered with us. This sends a powerful message to patients about the quality and consistency of care they can expect” said Ms. Hanrahan.
Visit www.coru.ie to check if a health professional is registered.
