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About Us

Learn about the Health Professions Council and our role.

Registration

Learn about getting registered and managing your registration with the Health Professions Council.

About Us

Welcome to the Health Professions Council (HPC)

Acupuncture Therapy
Audiology and Speech
Language Pathology
Chiropody and Podiatry
Chiropractic
Clinical Psychology
Dietetics and Nutrition
Emergency Services
Technology
Medical Laboratory
Technology
Occupational Therapy
Optometry and Opticianry
Physiotherapy and Respiratory Therapy
Radiography
As of January 2017, there are over 1,000 active registrants listed on the Health Professions registry.
The Health Professions Act also makes provisions for additional health professionals to join at any time.

Historical Overview

Timeline
The Health Professions Act(HPA) was approved on 6th August 1998.

The initial Act outlined twelve (12) categories of professions to be regulated:

Diagnostic and Therapeutic Radiography, Medical Laboratory Technology, Pharmacy, Optometry, Opticianry, Physiotherapy, Chiropody/ Podiatry, Chiropractic, Occupational Therapy, Clinical Psychology, Dietetics/Nutritionist, Emergency Medical Service, Acupuncture

1998

1999

An Interim Working Committee was appointed to draft the subsidiary legislation and formation of the Health Professions Council. Existing associations and individuals practising in the professions identified for regulation were encouraged to provide input and information to assist in forming the legislation.
The Health Professions (General) Regulations and the Health Professions (Complaints and Disciplinary Proceedings) Regulations were approved in 2000. The Health Professions Council became operational on 1st May 2000.

2000

2001

An Amendment Order was signed in 2001 by Minister of Health Dr. Ronald L. Knowles. Audiology and Speech Language Pathology were added as the thirteenth profession to be regulated. Additionally, sub-groups for several of the professions were also identified.
By 2002, there were 200 registrants on the Health Professions Register. Dr. Charles Diggiss became the third appointed Chairman for the Council beginning his tenure in July 2002.

2002

2004

The Council continued to progressand had over 400 hundred registrants. More clarity was brought to the Council’s processes for registration and licensure including prime source verification. To assist in the authentication of documents, the Apostille Process was established.
In December, the Pharmacy Act was gazetted and signed by the Minister of Health, the Honourable Hubert Minnis. The newly established Pharmacy Council assumed responsibility for the regulation of Pharmacists.

2009

2013

In May, anew Website for the Council was the first step in a multi-dimensional approach to modernise the Council.
The Council considered regulating other health care professions(32 new professions) to help strengthen and protect the health care system of The Bahama.

2017

2022

The Council began to draft legislation for the inclusion of twenty plus professions on the Professions Schedule. HPC launchedits new online registration and website platform demonstrating its commitment to maintaining standards and assurance to the public and the professional.

Meet The Council

Dr. Richard Knowles
Chairman
Dr. Juana Rodgers
Deputy Chairman
Dr. Pearl McMillan
Chief Medical Officer/Ex-Officio
Mr. Richard Darville
Member
Dr. Ava Thompson
Member
Dr. Kevin Moss
Member
Dr. Clive Gaskins
Member
Mrs. Justine Smith
Member
Mr. Kevin Bell
Member
Mr. Antoine Roberts
Member
Dr. Christina Messarra
Member
Ms. Bernadette Ellis
Registrar
Mrs. Verna Marshall
Office Manager
Mr. H Campbell Cleare III
2002 - 2002
Dr. Horizal Simmons
2007 - 2012
Dr. Richard Knowles
2017 - 2022











Dr. Earl Farrington
1999 - 2002
Dr. Charles Diggiss
2002 - 2007
Dr. Charles Diggiss
2012 - 2017
Dr. Earl Farrington
1999 - 2002


Mr. H Campbell Cleare III
2002 - 2002
Dr. Charles Diggiss
2002 - 2007


Dr. Horizal Simmons
2007 - 2012
Dr. Charles Diggiss
2012 - 2017


Dr. Richard Knowles
2017 - 2022
The Health Professions Council  is a statutory body with responsibility for the regulation of certain health
professionals throughout The Commonwealth of The Bahamas.
Contact Us
Address:
17 East Avenue,
2nd Floor, Adel House,
Centerville,
Nassau, The Bahamas
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