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>

The title of these regulations may be cited as the Minimum Title.

Training Conditions (Health Care Professions) Regulations, 2008.

Part 1

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.

A. Theoretical instruction

a. Nursing

b. Basic sciences

c. Social sciences

Nature and ethics of the profession

— Anatomy and physiology

— Sociology

— General principles of health and nursing

—

Pathology

—

Psychology

— Nursing principles in relation to

—

Bacteriology, virology and parasitology

—

Principles of administration

— general and specialist medicine

—

Biophysics, biochemistry and radiology

—

Principles of teaching

— general and specialist surgery

—

Dietetics

—

Social and health legislation

— child care and paediatrics

—

Hygiene

—

Legal aspects of nursing

— maternity care

— preventive medicine

— mental health and psychiatry

— health education

—

care of the old and geriatrics

— Pharmacology

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.

Part 2

Study programme for dental practitioners

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.

Medico-biological subjects and

A.

Basic subjects

B.

C.

Subjects directly related to dentistry

general medical subjects

— Chemistry

— Anatomy

— Prosthodontics

— Physics

— Embryology

— Dental materials and equipment

— Biology

— Histology, including cytology

— Conservative dentistry

— Physiology

— Preventive dentistry

— Biochemistry (or physiological chemistry)

— Anaesthetics and sedation

— Pathological anatomy

— Special surgery

— General pathology

— Special pathology

— Pharmacology

— Clinical practice

— Microbiology

— Paedodontics

— Hygiene

— Orthodontics

— Preventive medicine and epidemiology

— Periodontics

— Radiology

— Dental radiology

— Physiotherapy

— Dental occlusion and function of the jaw

— General surgery

— Professional organization, ethics and

legislation

— General medicine, including paediatrics

— Social aspects of dental practice

— Oto-rhino-laryngology

— Dermato-venereology

— General psychology — psychopathology

— neuropathology

— Anaesthetics

Part 3

Training programme for midwives (Training types I and II)

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

— Preparation for childbirth and parenthood, including

infant

psychological aspects

— Hygiene, health education, preventive medicine,

— Preparation for delivery (including knowledge and use of

early diagnosis of diseases

technical equipment in obstetrics)

— Nutrition and dietetics, with particular reference

— Analgesia, anaesthesia and resuscitation

to women, new-born and young babies

— 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.

Part 4

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.

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

€0.93 (Lm0.40)

These regulations transpose Articles 31, 34, 35, 40 and 44 Scope.

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 7 th

September 2005 on the Recognition of Professional Qualifications.

(1) Admission to training for nurses responsible for general Admission to

training of nurses.

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 Duration of training.

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 Theoretical training

of nurses.

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

other competent persons, in nursing schools and other training

establishments selected by the training institution.

(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.

(1) Admission to basic dental training presupposes

Admission to dental

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.

Duration of training.

(2) Basic dental training shall comprise a total of at least

five years of full-time theoretical and practical study, comprising at

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 Knowledge and

skills in basic dental

person in question has acquired the following knowledge and skills> training.

(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.

(1) Admission to specialist dental training shall entail the Admission to

specialist dental

completion and validation of five years of theoretical and practical training.

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 L.N. 422 of 2007.

Care Professions Act.

(2) Specialist dental training shall comprise theoretical and Minimum duration

of training.

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

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.

(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.

(1) The training of midwives shall comprise a total of at

(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<

(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.

(1) Admission to a course of training as a pharmacist shall Admission to

training as a

be contingent upon possession of a diploma or certificate giving access, pharmacist.

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 Duration of training.

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 Knowledge and

skills in training for

the person concerned has acquired the following knowledge and skills> pharmacists.

(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<

(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.