The Foundation of the Ordem dos Fisioterapeutas began in 1988, after Portuguese Physiotherapists Society’s (AFPisio – Associação Portuguesa de Fisioterapeutas) statutes were changed. This process took 20 years and went through several stages:
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First Direction of the Portuguese Order of Physiotherapists
The first direction in the history of the Order of Physiotherapists was ratified at the first meeting of the General Council of the Order on 21 December 2021. The Board is composed by: António Lopes ( President ), Nuno Cordeiro ( 1st Vice-President ), Conceição Bettencourt ( 2nd Vice-President ), Pedro Rebelo ( Member ), Fátima Domingues ( Member ), Ana Gonçalves ( Member ) and Afonso Neutel ( Member ).
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Investiture of the first Governing Bodies
On the 14th December 2021 the first Statutory Bodies of the Order of Physiotherapists took office in the auditorium of the Ordem dos Contabilistas Certificados, in Lisbon.
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First elections of the Portuguese Order of Physiotherapists
The first elections of the Order of Physiotherapists took place on 15 November 2021. The results of the elections determined the election of the first Statutory Bodies:
- President: António Lopes
- General Council: List E (headed by physiotherapist Rui Dias Costa );
- Jurisdictional Council (headed by physiotherapist Isabel Souza Guerra);
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Registration begins at the Order of Physiotherapists
The first registrations to the Order of Physiotherapists took place on 19 May 2021, with the first full members approved on 18 June 2021.
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Order of prorogation of the Commission for Installation of the Order
The Minister of Health, Marta Temido, extended the mandate of the Installing Commission until the effective installation of the Order of Physiotherapists, in dispatch 3657/2021, with the same composition.
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Order appointing the Installing Committee of the Order
The Minister of Health, Marta Temido, appoints the Installation Commission of the Order of Physiotherapists, in dispatch 12067/2019, with the following composition: Isabel Souza Guerra ( President ), António Manuel Fernandes Lopes, Olímpio Pereira, Pedro Rebelo and Maria da Conceição Bettencourt.
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SEPTEMBER 2019
The Law 122/2019 that approves the foundation of the Ordem dos Fisioterapeutas is published on September 30
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AUGUST 2019
The President of the Portuguese Republic promulgates the legislation that founds the Ordem dos Fisioterapeutas and approves its Statutes
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JULY 2019
After 20 years of advances and setbacks, the law of the Ordem dos Fisioterapeutas was finally approved in plenary at the Portuguese Parliament
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JUNE 2019
The law of the foundation of the Ordem dos Fisioterapeutas was approved at the 10th Labour and Social protection Committee, with favourable votes of political parties PS and CDS-PP, and other parties forbearance.
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OCTOBER 2017
The Foundation of the Ordem dos Fisioterapeutas is, once again, approved in general in plenary of Portuguese Parliament, after proposition by Socialist Party (PS) and Conservative Party (CDS-PP)
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JUNE 2016
The Pro-Ordem dos Fisioterapeutas Committee is appointed in a general meeting of the Portuguese Physiotherapists Association (APFSIO) chaired by Isabel de Souza Guerra
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NOVEMBER 2011
The Parliamentary Committee for Labour and Public Administration, after the hearing on the 23rd of November, asks for new documentation on the Understanding Memorandum with the Portuguese Constitution
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SEPTEMBER 2011
APFisio delivers once again all documentation to the Portuguese Parliament, Health and Labour and Social Protection Committees, and all Parliamentary Groups, asking for reappreciation and forwarding.
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FEBRUARY 2011
By proposal of the Conservative Party CDS-PP, the creation of the Ordem dos Fisioterapeutas is unanimously approved by the Portuguese Parliament. However, the dissolution of the legislature and the beginning of the new in June 2011, stopped the process and had to be re-initiated.
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2008
On May 2nd, APFisio updates the proposal once again and delivers the necessary documentation.
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2004
All the necessary documentation is delivered for the second time, and APFisio board continues to insist with the Portuguese Parliament (AR) and the Ministry of Health (MS).
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1999
All documents required to create the Physiotherapists Professional Organization were delivered to the competent national authority (with no effect).
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1998
Amendment of APFisio’s statutes, were it was written: “develop all initiatives leading to its recognition as a public law association, in order to assign the professional title of physiotherapist and regulate the practice of this profession.”
