The Department of Health is encouraging local health and beauty businesses to take part in the Regulation of Care Bill public consultation. 

The consultation, which runs until 25th May, was launched on 21st February and although the proposed Bill is being led by the Department of Social Care, the Department of Health is heavily involved because the Bill could potentially impact upon a number of private healthcare and beauty treatment providers, such as private chiropractors, chiropodists and physiotherapists, and those involved in certain types of cosmetic treatments as well as others.
 
As part of the consultation exercise, the Department has written to a wide variety of stakeholders, making them aware of the proposed Bill and inviting their feedback. It has also arranged a meeting for interested practitioners to enable them to discuss and understand the implications of the Bill for them personally.
 
Minister for Health, David Anderson MHK said: “Whilst the primary focus of the Bill is on care services, we are consulting on whether the Bill’s scope should be extended much further than this.  We have for some time been concerned at the lack of proper regulation of non-NHS health care and this Bill provides an excellent opportunity to address this.  Whilst we don’t want to impose unnecessary controls on non-NHS, private practitioners, it’s important that the public and responsible practitioners are properly protected, have confidence in the services they use and provide, and are assured that there is an appropriate level of regulation.
 
“Whilst the Department has attempted to contact all of those individuals or businesses that are likely to be affected, there’s of course a chance that some may have been missed.  I would strongly encourage all those involved in the private healthcare and beauty sectors to go to www.gov.im/health/corporate/about/policyandlegislation.xml to look at the details of the proposal and respond should they have any comments or feedback. There is also a meeting specifically for non-NHS healthcare providers at Keyll Darree on Thursday, 10th May at 6.30 pm.   So that we can ensure that we have the necessary space and arrangements in place, anyone wishing to attend is requested to call 642608 to book a place or e-mail dh@gov.im.”
 
Alongside the information on the proposal available on the Department of Health’s website, an electronic copy of the full Regulation of Care Bill can be downloaded from the Government website at: www.gov.im/ConsultationDetail.gov?id=298 and hard copies are available for collection from:

•         Markwell House, Market Street, Douglas;
•         Registration and Inspection Team, 3 – 4 Hill Street, Douglas;
•         Tynwald Library, Legislative Buildings, Finch Road, Douglas.
 
Hard copies can also be requested from the Department of Social Care by telephoning 687044, e-mailing regofcareconsultation@gov.im or writing to:
 
Regulation of Care Consultation
Department of Social Care
4th Floor, Markwell House
Market Street
Douglas
IMI 2RZ

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