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Mutual Recognition Of Qualifications Act (Cap. 451) Minimum Training Conditions (Health Care Professions) Regulations, 2008 (L.N. 71 Of 2008 )

MUTUAL RECOGNITION OF QUALIFICATIONS ACT (CAP. 451)
Minimum Training Conditions (Health Care Professions) Regulations, 2008
IN exercise of the powers conferred by Article 8 of the Mutual Recognition of Qualifications Act, the Minister of Education, Youth and Employment has made the following regulations>
1. The title of these regulations may be cited as the Minimum
Training Conditions (Health Care Professions) Regulations, 2008.
2. These regulations transpose Articles 31, 34, 35, 40 and 44 regarding basic and specialist dental training and the training of nurses responsible for general care, midwives and pharmacists, and also Annex V. 5.2.1, 5.3.1, 5.5.1 and 5.6.1 of Directive 2005#36#EC of the 7th September 2005 on the Recognition of Professional Qualifications.
3. (1) Admission to training for nurses responsible for general care shall be contingent upon completion of general education of 10 years, as attested by a diploma, certificate or other evidence issued by the competent authorities or bodies or by a certificate attesting success in an examination, of an equivalent level, for admission to a school of nursing. Training of nurses responsible for general care shall be given on a full-time basis and shall include at least the programme described in the Schedule, Part 1.
(2) The training of nurses responsible for general care shall comprise at least three years of study or 4,600 hours of theoretical and clinical training, the duration of the theoretical training representing at least one-third and the duration of the clinical training at least one half of the minimum duration of the training. Partial exemptions may be granted to persons who have received part of their training on courses which are of at least an equivalent level.
(3) It shall be ensured that institutions providing nursing training are responsible for the coordination of theoretical and clinical training throughout the entire study programme.
(4) Theoretical training is that part of nurse training from which trainee nurses acquire the professional knowledge, insights and skills necessary for organizing, dispensing and evaluating overall health care. The training shall be given by teachers of nursing care and by

Title.

Scope.

Admission to training of nurses.

Duration of training.

Theoretical training of nurses.

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other competent persons, in nursing schools and other training establishments selected by the training institution.

Clinical training of nurses.

Knowledge and skills in training for nurses.

Admission to dental basic training.

Duration of training.

(5) Clinical training is that part of nurse training in which trainee nurses learn, as part of a team and in direct contact with a healthy or sick individual and, or community, to organize, dispense and evaluate the required comprehensive nursing care, on the basis of the knowledge and skills which they have acquired. The trainee nurse shall learn not only how to work in a team, but also how to lead a team and organize overall nursing care, including health education for individuals and small groups, within the health institute or in the community. This training shall take place in hospitals and other health institutions and in the community, under the responsibility of nursing teachers, in cooperation with and assisted by other qualified nurses. Other qualified personnel may also take part in the teaching process. Trainee nurses shall participate in the activities of the department in question insofar as those activities are appropriate to their training, enabling them to learn to assume the responsibilities involved in nursing care.
(6) Training for nurses responsible for general care shall provide an assurance that the person in question has acquired the following knowledge and skills>
(a) adequate knowledge of the sciences on which general nursing is based, including sufficient understanding of the structure, physiological functions and behaviour of healthy and sick persons, and of the relationship between the state of health and the physical and social environment of the human being<
(b) sufficient knowledge of the nature and ethics of the profession and of the general principles of health and nursing<
(c) adequate clinical experience> such experience, which should be selected for its training value, should be gained under the supervision of qualified nursing staff and in places where the number of qualified staff and equipment are appropriate for the nursing care of the patient.
4. (1) Admission to basic dental training presupposes possession of a diploma or certificate giving access, for the studies in question, to universities or higher institutes of a level recognized as equivalent, in a Member State.
(2) Basic dental training shall comprise a total of at least five years of full-time theoretical and practical study, comprising at
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least the programme described in Schedule Part 2 and given in a university, in a higher institute providing training recognized as being of an equivalent level or under the supervision of a university.
(3) Basic dental training shall provide an assurance that the person in question has acquired the following knowledge and skills>
(a) adequate knowledge of the sciences on which dentistry is based and a good understanding of scientific methods, including the principles of measuring biological functions, the evaluation of scientifically established facts and the analysis of data<
(b) adequate knowledge of the constitution, physiology and behaviour of healthy and sick persons as well as the influence of the natural and social environment on the state of health of the human being, insofar as these factors affect dentistry<
(c) adequate knowledge of the structure and function of the teeth, mouth, jaws and associated tissues, both healthy and diseased, and their relationship to the general state of health and to the physical and social well-being of the patient<
(d) adequate knowledge of clinical disciplines and methods, providing the dentist with a coherent picture of anomalies, lesions and diseases of the teeth, mouth, jaws and associated tissues and of preventive, diagnostic and therapeutic dentistry<
(e) suitable clinical experience under appropriate supervision.
(4) This training shall provide the person in question with the skills necessary for carrying out all activities involving the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of anomalies and diseases of the teeth, mouth, jaws and associated tissues.
5. (1) Admission to specialist dental training shall entail the completion and validation of five years of theoretical and practical instruction within the framework of the training referred to in Regulation
3 thereof, or possession of the documents referred to in Regulation 23
of the Recognition of Professional Regulations, 2007 and in the Health
Care Professions Act.
(2) Specialist dental training shall comprise theoretical and practical instruction in a university centre, in a treatment teaching and research centre or, where appropriate, in a health establishment approved for that purpose by the competent authorities or bodies. Full-time

Knowledge and skills in basic dental training.

Admission to specialist dental training.

L.N. 422 of 2007

. Cap. 464.

Minimum duration of training.

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specialist dental courses shall be of a minimum of three years’ duration supervised by the competent authorities or bodies. It shall involve the personal participation of the dental practitioner training to be a specialist in the activity and in the responsibilities of the establishment concerned.

Contingent upon possession of basic dental training.

The training of midwives.

Coordination of theory and practice.

Admission to training for a midwife.

Knowledge and skills in training for a midwife.

(3) The Competent Authorities shall make the issuance of evidence of specialist dental training contingent upon possession of evidence of basic dental training referred to in the Second Schedule, PART II a, of the Health Care Professions Act.
6. (1) The training of midwives shall comprise a total of at least>
(a) specific full-time training as a midwife comprising at least three years of theoretical and practical study (Route I) comprising at least the programme described in the Schedule Part
3, or
(b) specific full-time training as a midwife of 18 months’ duration (Route II), comprising at least the study programme described in the Schedule Part 3, which was not the subject of equivalent training of nurses responsible for general care.
(2) It shall be ensured that institutions providing midwife training are responsible for coordinating theory and practice throughout the programme of study.
(3) Access to training as a midwife shall be contingent upon one of the following conditions>
(a) completion of at least the first 10 years of general school education for Route I, or
(b) possession of evidence of formal qualifications as a nurse responsible for general care referred to in the Second Schedule, Part V of the Health Care Professions Act for Route II.
(4) Training as a midwife shall provide an assurance that the person in question has acquired the following knowledge and skills>
(a) adequate knowledge of the sciences on which the activities of midwives are based, particularly obstetrics and gynaecology<
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(b) adequate knowledge of the ethics of the profession and the professional legislation<
(c) detailed knowledge of biological functions, anatomy and physiology in the field of obstetrics and of the newly born, and also a knowledge of the relationship between the state of health and the physical and social environment of the human being, and of his behaviour<
(d) adequate clinical experience gained in approved institutions under the supervision of staff qualified in midwifery and obstetrics<
(e) adequate understanding of the training of health personnel and experience of working with such.
7. (1) Admission to a course of training as a pharmacist shall be contingent upon possession of a diploma or certificate giving access, in a Member State, to the studies in question, at universities or higher institutes of a level recognised as equivalent.
(2) Evidence of formal qualifications as a pharmacist shall attest to training of at least five years’ duration, including at least>
(a) four years of full-time theoretical and practical training at a university or at a higher institute of a level recognized as equivalent, or under the supervision of a university<
(b) six-month traineeship in a pharmacy which is open to the public or in a hospital, under the supervision of that hospital’s pharmaceutical department.
(3) That training cycle shall include at least the programme described in the Schedule, Part 4.
(4) Training for pharmacists shall provide an assurance that the person concerned has acquired the following knowledge and skills>
(a) adequate knowledge of medicines and the substances used in the manufacture of medicines<
(b) adequate knowledge of pharmaceutical technology and the physical, chemical, biological and microbiological testing of medicinal products<

Admission to training as a pharmacist.

Duration of training.

Knowledge and skills in training for pharmacists.

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(c) adequate knowledge of the metabolism and the effects of medicinal products and of the action of toxic substances, and of the use of medicinal products<
(d) adequate knowledge to evaluate scientific data concerning medicines in order to be able to supply appropriate information on the basis of this knowledge<
(e) adequate knowledge of the legal and other requirements associated with the pursuit of pharmacy.
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Training programme for nurses responsible for general care

The training leading to the award of a formal qualification of nurses responsible for general care shall consist of the following two parts.

B. Clinical instruction

— Nursing in relation to:

— general and specialist medicine

— general and specialist surgery

— child care and paediatrics

— maternity care

— mental health and psychiatry

— care of the old and geriatrics

— home nursing

One or more of these subjects may be taught in the context of the other disciplines or in conjunction therewith.

The theoretical instruction must be weighted and coordinated with the clinical instruction in such a way that the knowledge and skills referred to in this Schedule can be acquired in an adequate fashion.

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The programme of studies leading to evidence of formal qualifications in dentistry shall include at least the following subjects. One or more of these subjects may be taught in the context of the other disciplines or in conjunction therewith.

— Chemistry

— Physics

— Biology

— Anatomy

— Embryology

— Histology, including cytology

— Physiology

— Biochemistry (or physiological chemistry)

— Pathological anatomy

— General pathology

— Pharmacology

— Microbiology

— Hygiene

— Preventive medicine and epidemiology

— Radiology

— Physiotherapy

— General surgery

— General medicine, including paediatrics

— Oto-rhino-laryngology

— Dermato-venereology

— General psychology — psychopathology

— neuropathology

— Anaesthetics

— Prosthodontics

— Dental materials and equipment

— Conservative dentistry

— Preventive dentistry

— Anaesthetics and sedation

— Special surgery

— Special pathology

— Clinical practice

— Paedodontics

— Orthodontics

— Periodontics

— Dental radiology

— Dental occlusion and function of the jaw

— Professional organization, ethics and legislation

— Social aspects of dental practice

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The training programme for obtaining evidence of formal qualifications in midwifery consists of the following two parts: A. Theoretical and technical instruction

a. General subjects b. Subjects specific to the activities of midwives

— Basic anatomy and physiology — Anatomy and physiology

— Basic pathology — Embryology and development of the foetus

— Basic bacteriology, virology and parasitology — Pregnancy, childbirth and puerperium

— Basic biophysics, biochemistry and radiology — Gynaecological and obstetrical pathology

— Paediatrics, with particular reference to new-born infant

— Hygiene, health education, preventive medicine, early diagnosis of diseases

— Nutrition and dietetics, with particular reference

— Preparation for childbirth and parenthood, including psychological aspects

— Preparation for delivery (including knowledge and use of technical equipment in obstetrics)

to women, new-born and young babies — Analgesia, anaesthesia and resuscitation

— Basic sociology and socio-medical questions — Physiology and pathology of the new-born infant

— Basic pharmacology — Care and supervision of the new-born infant

— Psychology — Psychological and social factors

— Principles and methods of teaching

— Health and social legislation and health organization

— Professional ethics and professional legislation

— Sex education and family planning

— Legal protection of mother and infant

B. Practical and clinical training

This training is to be dispensed under appropriate supervision:

— Advising of pregnant women, involving at least 100 pre-natal examinations.

— Supervision and care of at least 40 pregnant women.

— Conduct by the student of at least 40 deliveries; where this number cannot be reached owing to the lack of available women in labour, it may be reduced to a minimum of 30, provided that the student assists with 20 further deliveries.

— Active participation with breech deliveries. Where this is not possible because of lack of breech deliveries, practice may be in a simulated situation.

— Performance of episiotomy and initiation into suturing. Initiation shall include theoretical instruction and clinical practice.

The practice of suturing includes suturing of the wound following an episiotomy and a simple perineal laceration. This may be in a simulated situation if absolutely necessary.

— Supervision and care of 40 women at risk in pregnancy, or labour or post-natal period.

— Supervision and care (including examination) of at least 100 post-natal women and healthy new-born infants.

— Observation and care of the new-born requiring special care, including those born pre-term, post-term, underweight or ill.

— Care of women with pathological conditions in the fields of gynaecology and obstetrics.

— Initiation into care in the field of medicine and surgery. Initiation shall include theoretical instruction and clinical practice.

The theoretical and technical training (Part A of the training programme) shall be balanced and coordinated with the clinical training (Part B of the same programme) in such a way that the knowledge and experience listed in this Schedule may be acquired in an adequate manner.

Clinical instruction shall take the form of supervised in-service training in hospital departments or other health services approved by the competent authorities or bodies. As part of this training, student midwives shall participate in the activities of the departments concerned insofar as those activities contribute to their training. They shall be taught the responsibilities involved in the activities of midwives.

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Course of training for pharmacists

— Plant and animal biology

— Physics

— General and inorganic chemistry

— Organic chemistry

— Analytical chemistry

— Pharmaceutical chemistry, including analysis of medicinal products

— General and applied biochemistry (medical)

— Anatomy and physiology; medical terminology

— Microbiology

— Pharmacology and pharmacotherapy

— Pharmaceutical technology

— Toxicology

— Pharmacognosy

— Legislation and, where appropriate, professional ethics.

The balance between theoretical and practical training shall, in respect of each subject, give sufficient importance to theory to maintain the university character of the training.

Ippubblikat mid-Dipartiment ta’ l-Informazzjoni (doi.gov.mt) — Valletta — Published by the Department of Information (doi.gov.mt) — Valletta

Mitbug[ fl-Istamperija tal-Gvern — Printed at the Government Printing Press

Prezz#Price

€0.93 (Lm0.40)