The Hong Kong Association of Speech Therapists (HKAST) and Hong Kong Institute of Speech Therapists (HKIST) Joint Statement on Commitment to Ethical Speech Therapy Practice
Speech therapists (STs) are a group of professionals who practise in the areas of communication and swallowing disorders across the lifespan. STs are responsible for the assessment, diagnosis, rehabilitation, and prevention of communication and swallowing disorders resulting from dysfunctions of the oral, laryngeal, resonatory, respiratory, esophageal, or neurological mechanism.
At present, STs are not among the healthcare professionals that are subject to statutory registration of the HKSAR Government. Since April 2018, the Government has launched the Pilot Accredited Registers Scheme for Healthcare Professions and granted full accreditation status to the HKIST. STs who voluntarily register with HKIST are to meet stipulated educational standards and to be governed by the Code of Ethics for Speech Therapy in Hong Kong and the Continuing Professional Development Framework. HKAST, on the other hand, strives to promote and strengthen the professionalism among the speech therapists in Hong Kong since early 1980s.
HKAST and HKIST jointly reinforce the principles embodied in our Code of Ethics. Ethical speech therapy practice is a cornerstone of our standing as a profession to serve the public. All STs have shared responsibility in ensuring that the Code of Ethics are followed.
Ends/
31 May 2022
Hong Kong time 7:00 pm