An investigation has been launched after allegations of a sex assault on a child by a health worker, the Bermuda Health Council revealed.

The health council said the allegations involved an “unregulated health professional” and that police and the Department of Child and Family Services had been informed.

Social workers, acupuncturists, massage therapists, counsellors and “various assistants to regulated professionals” are all included in the unregulated professions.

The BHeC said it had been “recently” alerted to the claim of “inappropriate touching of a sexual nature with a child”.

Tawanna Wedderburn, chief executive at the council, said the watchdog had “unusually” highlighted the matter because of “risks faced by the public, including children and young people”.

She added: “Generally, no one has the authority to check most health facilities or the practices of unregulated health professionals.”

Ms Wedderburn said surveys had shown the public “asked us to speak up”, and that the council was liaising with professional associations to push for “greater oversight of unregulated professionals”.

She urged the public to check whether health professionals they consulted were registered and practising in a safe environment.

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