A proposal to include counselling psychologists in Cyprus’ national health system is expected to be submitted to the plenary of parliament for a vote in the coming days, MPs said on Thursday.
Speaking after a meeting of the House health committee, Charalambos Pazaros, an MP withDisy, and Alekos Tryfonides, a Depa MP, said the proposal aims to amend legislation governing the General Healthcare System so that counselling psychologists can be included among the system’s “other healthcare professionals”.
The amendment would allow counselling psychologists to provide services within the state health scheme, known as Gesy.
Ease pressure on healthcare system
Pazaros welcomed the willingness of the Health Insurance Organisation (HIO) to submit a proposal to its board for the inclusion of counselling psychology as a separate professional group within the system.
According to Pazaros, counselling psychologists are expected initially to provide services for specific health conditions through a limited package of services, which could gradually be expanded depending on the available budget.
He said counselling psychology could operate in a complementary role to clinical psychology by dealing with cases that do not fall within the scope of clinical practice. This, he added, would help ease pressure on the healthcare system, reduce waiting times for patients and improve the distribution of cases among healthcare professionals.
Prevention
Counselling psychology could also play an important role in prevention, early intervention and the management of psychosocial difficulties, as well as supporting patients dealing with chronic or complex illnesses, he added.
Pazaros said Democratic Rally supports initiatives that strengthen the health system and invest in citizens’ mental health.
“Mental health is a fundamental pillar of the overall health and wellbeing of society,” he said, adding that access to psychological support services should be universal, timely and of high quality.
Positive reactions
Tryfonides also stressed what he described as a “huge necessity” to include counselling psychologists in Gesy, noting that it is a service society increasingly demands.
He welcomed the positive response from the Health Insurance Organisation, which he said has already held consultations with psychologists’ associations.
Tryfonides explained that counselling psychologists constitute a distinct professional group with their own functions and role within the healthcare system. The allocation of services between clinical and counselling psychologists will be determined by the HIO through an administrative recommendation and a decision by its board, he said.
He also noted the positive stance of the Cyprus Psychologists Association, the Pancyprian Association of Psychologists, the Cyprus Federation of Patients' Associations, and the Ministry of Health.
The aim, he added, is for citizens to be able to consult counselling psychologists within Gesy without incurring additional costs, as is currently the case.
“The proposal will be brought before the plenary of the House in the coming days so that counselling psychologists can join Gesy with specific medical services, which may gradually increase following further consultations,” Tryfonides said.