Health Statutory Boards Self Assessment Report
The Health Council has released its annual report on the performance of statutory boards that register health professionals to practice in Bermuda. The report is based on information provided by each board that oversees the various health professions.
BHeC said, “The report notes improvements in how health professionals are registered, the level of responsiveness in handling the public’s complaints, and greater efficiencies.
“It is noteworthy that there are fewer health professionals practicing in Bermuda today than 10 years ago, coinciding with a decline in population [per Table 1].
“This trend is a reminder that care quality is directly correlated with the ability of health professionals to practice competently. Therefore, it is important to have structures in place to educate our professionals so that health services are not over or under used.”
Table 1 – Number of health professionals
David Rogers, Policy Analyst, Health Regulation states: “Having the statutory boards complete a self-assessment strengthens the registration process ensuring that Bermuda has well trained and qualified health professionals to deliver quality care.
“The report reinforces the Health Council’s collaboration with each of the statutory boards and improves transparency in the health system”.
Seven statutory boards completed the self-assessment representing dentists, dental assistants, dental hygienists, dental technicians, physicians, midwives, advanced practice nurses, enrolled nurses, nurse associates, nurse specialists, registered nurses, psychologists, addiction counsellors, audiologists, diagnostic imaging technologists, dieticians, medical lab technologists, physiotherapists, occupational therapists, chiropodists/podiatrists; and speech and language pathologists, optometrists, opticians, and pharmacists.
“The Health Council has the responsibility to regulate health professionals by monitoring licensing, certification, standards and codes of practice,” BHeC said.
“Each statutory board is appointed by the Minister of Health and Seniors. Boards meet regularly, have registration criteria for the professionals in which they have oversight, and, have a process in place to handle complaints.”
The Statutory Boards Self Assessment Report follows below [PDF here]:
