Chiropractors say their profession is under threat from legislation to be introduced on the use of X-ray machines. The Bill would stop the group, who treat back problems through manipulation, from having access to radiology facilities, according to the Chiropractic Association of Ireland.
The association, which has 60 members, is to make a presentation to the Committee on Public Enterprise and Transport in an effort to change the legislation.
Mr James Cosgrave, CAI vice-chairman, said members of the association were fully qualified. He said that by 2003 its membership would exceed 100 practitioners. "It is conservatively estimated that by this time there will be over 500,000 visits per year to chiropractors in Ireland."
He explained that chiropractors needed the use of X-ray machines to ensure people who came for treatment were not suffering from serious underlying conditions.
But the Medical Council has said that since chiropractors are not registered as medical practitioners or radiographers they do not come within the remit of the council, as a regulator.
The CAI says that while it has difficulties with the Radiological Protection (Amendment) Bill it does want new legislation which would put in place a mechanism verifying chiropractic qualifications and their use of X-ray machines.
Mr Cosgrave said four fully licensed X-ray machines were used by chiropractors in the State. The users of these machines accept referrals from other chiropractors so the number of chiropractors dependent on these facilities is "well into the double figures. A significant additional number of chiropractors who do not currently have access to these X-ray machines would invest in equipment of their own if the legal uncertainty was removed."
Other chiropractors refer patients to consultant radiologists in private practice, he explained. Mr Cosgrave said he believed a comparison could be made between the right of dental practitioners to own and use radiology equipment.
"If this were removed for dentists it would immediately have the effect of damaging the practice and livelihood of dental practitioners all over the country, particularly those who were not within easy reach of a public dental laboratory facility." In the UK the British Chiropractice Association has an X-ray standards committee, he said, and X-ray facilities are inspected by the government.