MHKs have approved the Regulation of Care (Amendment) Bill.

The legislation corrects an anomaly in the Regulation of Care Act 2013 that meant that medical staff agencies had to be formally registered in the island, even when the staff were supplied solely for the Health Department.

Health Minister David Ashford said: ’For the purpose of ensuring that the department continues to have the ability to recruit temporary medical staff, this Bill corrects the anomaly.’

Agencies supplying doctors, nurses or midwives direct to the department will not need to register, although the exemption would not extend to agency staff employed directly by GPs.

Members granted the Bill a third reading. It has already been through scrutiny in the Legislative Council but will require royal assent before it becomes law.