The Cyprus Psychologists Association has voiced renewed concern over the Health Insurance Organisation’s intention to proceed with a framework for the inclusion of counselling psychologists in the General Healthcare System, saying key legal, ethical and scientific issues have not been addressed.
The association said it supports the inclusion of counselling psychologists in Gesy on equal terms with clinical psychologists already contracted under the system. However, it said its scientific and institutional positions had not been taken into account, despite the seriousness of the issues raised.
According to the association, the proposed framework raises questions over compliance with existing legislation, particularly in relation to the handling of minors and adult victims of gender-based and domestic violence.
It also expressed concern over possible effects on the quality of services provided, the protection of beneficiaries, the best interests of the child and the right of patients to access appropriately specialised psychologists across all fields.
The association said the proposed framework appears to include cases involving increased therapeutic, legal and ethical responsibility, without sufficient protocols or safeguards to protect both beneficiaries and professionals.
It added that current legislation does not provide for an institutionalised distinction of exclusive duties between different psychology specialisations. Access to mental health services, it said, should be based on each professional’s competence, training and specialisation.
The association stressed that its mission is to safeguard and promote the scientific competence of all specialisations represented among its members. It said it would not accept any arrangement leading to unequal treatment between specialisations.
It also underlined that all psychology specialisations have equal scientific value and that Gesy beneficiaries should have access to all of them, according to their needs.
The association called on the Health Insurance Organisation not to proceed unilaterally with the proposed framework and to return to meaningful dialogue with the competent bodies, guided by legality, scientific evidence, ethical safeguards and the protection of public health.
Source: CNA
