The PHECC Register of pre-hospital emergency care practitioners is the sixth statutory health care register in Ireland. In September 2005 the Advanced Paramedic Division of the PHECC Register was activated. Both the Paramedic and Emergency Medical Technician Divisions were activated at the end of the year.

This is a professional Register of practitioners and membership indicates the academic qualifications, competency level and commitment of registered practitioners to professional standards. The aim of the register is primarily to protect the public. A Register will also give assurance to registered practitioners and the profession. Register membership is a 'Q mark' for the public and other health care professions.

Why do we need a Register?

Membership of a statutory health care register is a mark of quality. If you are a member of a statutory register it is a quality assurance for members of the public and it is a mark of professionalism among other health care professions. Membership of a statutory register clearly indicates that the member has met the academic requirements necessary to practice; and that they comply with a Code of Professional Conduct and Ethics and are willing to account for their activities. The PHECC Register moves the EMS profession in Ireland onto a new plain. By joining the PHECC Register, pre-hospital emergency care practitioners are taking their rightful place alongside other health care professionals.

Precedence for the Register

Professional registers are standard in all established health care professions. Examples of current statutory health care professional registers in operation in Ireland are:
    - Medical Council (Doctors)
    - An Board Altranais (Nurses)
    - Pharmaceutical Society (Pharmacists)
    - Dental Council (Dentists)
    - Opticians Board (Opticians)

Divisions on the Register

The PHECC Register will be divided into three divisions which shall be known as the:
    • Emergency Medical Technician Division;
    • Paramedic Division;
    • Advanced Paramedic Division.
Each division of the PHECC Register may contain subdivisions to facilitate:
    • Trainees (limited for a specific purpose and duration as Council may determine);
    • Internship (limited for a specific purpose and duration as Council may determine);
    • Tutors (limited for a specific purpose and duration as Council

Allied Health Care Professions

The Health and Social Care Professionals Bill 2004 was introduced last October. This legislation makes provision for statutory registration for allied health care professions. The following are the proposed professions:-
   - Chiropodists
   - Clinical Biochemists
   - Dietitians Registration
   - Medical Scientists
   - Occupational Therapists
   - Orthoptists
   - Physiotherapists
   - Psychologists
   - Radiographers
   - Social Care Workers
   - Social Workers
   - Speech and Language Therapists

Re Registration

Eligibility for continuing registration will be dependant on compliance with the rules of the Register.  Any applicant that does not meet with the Continuing Professional Development requirements associated with their status on the PHECC Register may be automatically excluding themselves from rejoining the PHECC Register.  Any applicant that does not pay the appropriate registration fee in advance of their application being processed will automatically be excluding themselves.

Registration Fee - The current registration fee is €10 per annum.