First speech language pathologists obtain licence - March 28, 2010

After years of demanding more formal recognition for speech-language pathologists, 60 SLPs received their licence issued by President George Abela.

The certificates were presented by Health Minister Joseph Cassar following an agreement reached with the health authorities in 2008.

SLPs can still practise after graduating, following their registration with the Council for Professions Complementary to Medicine.

However, after two years of practice, they are now entitled to apply for the licence. SLPs have been providing services to the community for the past 29 years. The Association of Speech-Language Pathologists (ASLP) sees this development as a consolidation of the high standards of practice the profession has achieved.

The ceremony coincided with Speech-Language Therapy Day, an annual event organised by the association. The event is celebrated annually on March 6 in 27 European countries by 30 SLP organisation members of the Standing Liaison Committee of EU Speech and Language Therapists and Logopedists.

More details can be obtained from www.aslpmalta.org or by calling 9987 3213.