Regulated Professions (Health and Social Care) (Amendment) Act 2020

In short

This law, the Regulated Professions (Health and Social Care) (Amendment) Act 2020, updates existing laws concerning various health and social care professions. It primarily focuses on amending previous Acts related to dentists, health and social care professionals, pharmacists, medical practitioners, and nurses and midwives.

What it regulates

• The registration and regulation of dentists.
• The regulation of health and social care professionals.
• The regulation of pharmacists.
• The registration and regulation of medical practitioners, including interns and adapters.
• The registration and regulation of nurses and midwives.

Who it concerns

• Registered dentists and the Dental Council.
• Registered health and social care professionals and their respective councils.
• Registered pharmacists and the Pharmaceutical Society of Ireland.
• Registered medical practitioners, interns, and adapters, and the Medical Council.
• Registered nurses and midwives and the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Ireland.

Key points

• It introduces new sections and amends existing ones in the Dentists Act 1985, including provisions for the Council's power to make rules and information publication.
• It amends the Health and Social Care Professionals Act 2005, including provisions for declarations by registrants and steps to be taken by the Council after receiving reports.
• It amends the Pharmacy Act 2007, including provisions for the Council to request information and amendments related to disciplinary actions.
• It amends the Medical Practitioners Act 2007, including provisions for the registration of interns and adapters, different divisions of registration, and the investigation of complaints.
• It amends the Nurses and Midwives Act 2011, including provisions for conditions attached to registration, appeals against Board decisions, and the investigation of complaints.