Parliament has passed a bill aimed at improving how the councils responsible for regulating healthcare professionals carry out their statutory functions.
The Health Practice (Amendment) (No. 2) Bill, 2026 was considered by members on 2 October before being passed on 5 October.
It allows the four professional councils to delegate specified duties and functions to sub-committees made up of council members and other appropriately appointed persons.
The councils will retain responsibility and accountability for decisions made under delegated authority.
They are the Medical and Dental Council, Nursing and Midwifery Council, Pharmacy Council and Council for Professions Allied with Medicine.
The provisions allowing the councils to establish sub-committees are expected to come into force as soon as possible.
This will enable the Nursing and Midwifery Council to establish a sub-committee to provide local oversight of nursing education and students during the current academic year.
The other councils will also be able to determine their areas of focus and develop appropriate procedures.
In a press release on 7 October, health minister Katherine Ebanks-Wilks said the bill will give professional councils “greater flexibility to carry out their responsibilities effectively”.
“I thank the public, stakeholders and members of parliament who contributed to the development and consideration of this legislation,” she added.
