On 13 May 2021, the Order of Physiotherapists (Ordem) began the process of registering physiotherapists practising their profession in Portugal, based on the regulations contained in DRE, 2nd, E, of 23 April.
In order to begin this activity, it sought to sign a legally recognised transfer of powers agreement with the Central Administration of the Health System, IP (ACSS, IP).
This agreement endeavoured to comply with the respective privacy policies, framed by the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), both in terms of the European Regulation and the national legal system.
Under these terms, all the data held by the ACSS,IP in relation to the scope of the transfer will now be kept and used by the Order, in strict compliance with what has been established and with a view to the immediate objective of the registration procedure and the fight against illegal physiotherapy.
In this regard, we would remind you that the award of the professional title, its use and the exercise of the profession of physiotherapist, in any sector of activity, individually or in a professional company, depend on registration with the Order as a full member.
In other words, the illegal use of a professional title or exercising a profession without one are punishable under criminal law.
This responsibility, in statutory terms, is joint and several, where applicable, as no one can hire or use the services of physiotherapy professionals who are not registered with the Order.
Infringement of the provisions constitutes an administrative offence, punishable by a fine of between 3 and 10 times the value of the social support index (IAS), to be applied by the Minister of Health, on a proposal from the Bar Association, which is responsible for investigating the case.
To this end, and even using the data contained in the public part of the institutions that have regulated the activity and the profession until now, the Installation Commission has been notifying employers and/or direct physiotherapy providers, in order to better proceed with the ongoing registration process, as well as striving for strict compliance with the law, as mentioned above, combating illicit physiotherapy, within the scope of the powers that were given back to physiotherapists as an organised civil society with the creation of the Order.
The Installation Committee