Press Release: Friday 13 June 2025
Minister for Health announces key steps that will allow physiotherapists to refer patients for investigations
The Minister for Health, Jennifer Carroll MacNeill TD, has today confirmed that key steps to allow physiotherapists to refer patients for investigations have been taken. These steps enable physiotherapists working in relevant roles across the health service to refer patients for diagnostic investigations such as X-rays.
200 physiotherapists will have completed the training in University College Dublin (UCD) by the end of 2025. The development of this training programme is funded by the Department of Health through the Sláintecare Integration Innovation Fund (SIIF).
CORU, Ireland’s multi-professional health and social care regulator, protects the public by promoting high standards of professional conduct, education, training and competence. The Health Information and Quality Authority (HIQA) is the systems regulator for services that conduct medical exposures. Both have a role in the setting of standards required for physiotherapist referral for diagnostic procedures through their respective remit. Hospitals and services facilitating referrals also have a key role to ensure that governance arrangements are in place to support this new practice.
Optimisation of health services through reform and supporting healthcare professionals to deliver effective and efficient patient care is a priority for the Minister for Health. Designating appropriately trained physiotherapists to refer patients for radiological procedures will result in fewer steps in the care of patients who require diagnostics.
Minister Carroll MacNeill said:
“I am pleased that trained physiotherapists can now refer patients for x-rays and other radiological tests. This is a big step forward and will make patient care more efficient. I also want to thank everyone in the health service for their teamwork and dedication to achieving the best outcomes for patients.”