The Ministry of Health is taking decisive steps to address accreditation and compliance issues among Allied Health Professionals (ACP) in the beauty and wellness industry.
Head of Chairman of the Grenada Allied Health Practitioners Council (GAHPC), Dr. Nicole Forte has revealed plans for a thorough ‘labour market needs assessment’ during a press conference in St. George’s.
Dr. Forte said the registration and licensing amnesty, initially scheduled to conclude in November, has been extended until April 30th, 2024 and stressed the urgency for allied health workers to achieve compliance during this period.
She disclosed that the forthcoming labour market needs assessment, in collaboration with the National Training Agency (NTA), aims to tailor training programmes to the specific needs of different professional groupings within the industry, and accredited training courses are expected to be introduced in the coming months.
The GAHPC Chairman emphasised the crucial role of compliance in ensuring the safety of both clients and practitioners. She introduced the concept of a healthcare facility inspectorate, designed to drive quality improvement, establish minimum standards of practice, and maintain consistency in the delivery of care across facilities.
Under the Health Practitioner’s Act of 2010, Allied Health Professionals are required to register with the GAHPC at a fee of EC$250.00, with license renewal costing EC$350.00 every three years. Failure to comply could result in a maximum penalty of $250,000.00 or five (5) years of imprisonment. AHP refers to all healthcare professions that are distinct from Nursing, Medicine, Dentistry, and Pharmacy.
The broad spectrum of Allied Health Professions includes Acupuncturists, Audiologists, Audio Metrists, Chiropodists, Chiropractors, Dental Hygienists, Dental Technicians, Dietitians, Emergency Medical Technicians, Emergency Medical Dispatchers, Herbalists, Homeopaths, Masseuses, Imaging Technologists, Naturopathists, Opticians, Occupational Therapists, Podiatrists.
The list also includes Psychotherapists, Psychologists, Physiotherapists, and Reflexologists, EMP Specialists, Speech Therapists, Nutritionists, Massagers, Laboratory Technicians, X-Ray Technicians and Sonographers, Venipuncturists/Phlebotomists and Medical Social Workers.Â
Continuous education, aligned with best practices, is mandatory for registration and license renewal. To enhance transparency, practitioners must prominently display their license certificates at their workplaces. Dr. Forte urged those not yet compliant to seize the extended amnesty period, reinforcing the Ministry of Health’s commitment to establishing a compliant and high-standard allied health sector in Grenada.