Two professions represented by the Bermuda Medical Council and the Dental Board were involved in legal action for professional misconduct last year, according to the Bermuda Health Council.

Another six professions received complaints about professional practice, the Health Council’s Statutory Boards Assessment Report revealed.

However, the report also showed that five out of the seven statutory boards that completed the self-assessment were meeting basic compliance with existing legislation.

This includes having a complaints handling process, registering their professionals and maintaining up-to-date professional registers.

“This report highlights the health system’s commitment to ensuring that we have trained and qualified registered professionals delivering care,” said Tawanna Wedderburn, CEO of the Health Council. “It also emphasises complaints handling as we reassure the public that their concerns about healthcare are being addressed.

“Most statutory boards are doing a commendable job with the limited resources available to them and we appreciate their dedication to registering health professionals who deliver quality patient care.”

To assure public safety and enhance the delivery of health services, the Health Council asks all statutory boards to report their complaints and disciplinary procedures, board composition and professional registration processes annually.

Tiara Carlington, the corporate office coordinator, said: “After comparing previous board assessment reports, it is clear that statutory bodies have taken steps towards having more organised registration processes and complaints and disciplinary procedures.

“While there is still room for improvement, the willingness to change shows the statutory bodies’ appreciation for professional accountability and public safety.”

According to the report, the outcomes of the legal cases involving the professions represented by the Bermuda Medical Council and the Dental Board are still pending.

Meanwhile, the five statutory boards that reported receiving complaints last year were the Bermuda Medical Council, Bermuda Nursing Council, Council for Allied Health Professions, Bermuda Dental Board and the Psychologists Registration Council. These boards represent physicians, nurses, occupational therapists, physiotherapists, dentists and psychologists.

Between September 1, 2014, and August 31 last year, the Health Council also received two complaints and 22 queries about professional registration, as well as eight complaints and 24 queries about the quality of care delivered by regulated professionals. These are passed on to the appropriate entity, are monitored and the outcome tracked.

The Health Council has been monitoring performance since 2013 but this is the first time the report has been made public.

The Statutory Boards Assessment Report, which also provides information about compliance with the registration requirements, is available here.