The Ministry of Health initiated a public consultation on the draft proposal of the Speech Therapy Act, aimed at improving the quality and accessibility of speech therapy services. The new law responds to the growing need for professional support for individuals with speech and language disorders, especially in children, and aligns national legislation with European standards.
The law seeks to ensure high standards in the provision of speech therapy care, while also regulating the issuance of permits for independent practice, organizational work models, duties and responsibilities of speech therapists, and professional oversight of their work.
Under the new law, speech therapy services will be available at the primary healthcare level, and, for the first time, the public healthcare network will allow the contracting of speech therapists within health centres, where the service can be provided without a referral.