Therapists will undergo a registration exercise starting next Monday to safeguard patient safety. Setting up such a register means that only adequately trained and qualified occupational therapists, physiotherapists and speech therapists will be given the green light to practice in Singapore.

The Ministry of Health (MOH) said on Wednesday that the move is aimed at "ensuring high standards and safeguarding the interests of the public". The statement added that this will bring Singapore in line with international norms, especially with the growing demand for allied health professionals given Singapore's rapidly ageing population.

The Allied Health Professions Council, which is under MOH, will be in charge of this registry.

Four types of registration are available: full, restricted, conditional and temporary. The category for registration is dependent on the credentials of the therapists. Therapists are given until April 14 next year to register in order to continue practicing here. Briefings will be held this month to explain the process to therapists.