The Order of Physiotherapists (Ordem dos Fisioterapeutas) began, on 13 May 2021 the process of registration of physiotherapists exercising their profession in Portugal, based on the regulations contained in the DRE, 2ª, E, of 23 April.
To begin this activity, it fought for the signing of an agreement for the transfer of legally recognised attributions with the Central Administration of the Health System, IP (ACSS, IP).
This agreement, fought for the fulfilment of the respective privacy policies, framed by the General Data Protection Regulation (RGPD), both in terms of the European Regulation and in terms of the national legal system.
In these terms, all data in the possession of the ACSS,IP, with regards to the scope of the transfer, are now kept and used by the Order, in strict compliance with the established and in view of the immediate objective of the registration procedure and the fight against illegal physiotherapy.
In this sense, we recall that the attribution of the professional title, its use and the exercise of the profession of physiotherapist, in any sector of activity, individually or in a professional society, depend on registration in the Order as an effective member.
In other words, the illegal use of the professional title or the exercise of the profession without a title are punishable under criminal law.
This responsibility, in statutory terms, is of a joint and several nature, when applicable, as no one can contract or use the services of physiotherapy professionals who are not registered with the Order.
The infraction 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, upon proposal by the Health Association, which is responsible for preparing the process.
In this sense, and even with recourse to the data contained in the public part of the institutions that have regulated the activity and the profession up to now, the Installation Commission has proceeded to notify employing entities and/or direct providers of physiotherapy, in order to better proceed with the registration process underway, as well as to fight for the strict observance of the law, in the aforementioned essentials, combating illicit physiotherapy, in the scope of the powers that have been devolved to physiotherapists as an organised civil society with the creation of the Order.
The Installing Committee