The Minister for Social Solidarity Dolores Cristina has presented letters of appointment to the seven members of Malta's first Psychology Profession Board, which will regulate the practice.

The new board is chaired by Mary Anne Agius and its members are Evelyn Caruana Demajo, Olivia Galea Seychell, Patrick J. Psaila, Angela Abela, Victor Martinelli and Sandra Scicluna Calleja. Anne Scolaro is secretary.

The Psychology Profession Act recognises the professional status of psychologists and establishes a regulatory body to ensure optimum standards.

The board will regulate the practice of psychology and its work will include the setting up and the evaluating of professional development in the field of psychology. It will keep an official register of all registered psychologists and of all partnerships of psychologists.

The board will recommend, for the minister's approval, a code of ethics on the professional behaviour of psychologists and will inquire into any allegation of professional incompetence, misconduct or gross negligence by a psychologist.

It is also expected to make recommendations to the minister with regard to the recognition of qualifications and applications for equivalence required for holding a warrant. Moreover, it will examine the applications for a warrant to practise in Malta and make recommendations on their award or refusal.