Dubai healthcare laws affecting massage therapists are under reform
Dubai’s strict medical healthcare laws which apply to massage therapists are being reformed with the help of principal and owner of the renowned Dubai spa training facility, Healing Zone Academy – Anne Cook and the director of spa consultancy dR Global, Daniella Russell.
The Dubai Health Authority (DHA) implemented strict new regulations for massage therapists in 2013 which require massage therapists to have undergone 500 hours of training made up of 200 hours of massage instruction, 100 hours of clinical practice, 125 hours of anatomy and physiology theory, 40 hours of general pathology, 25 hours of ethics and 25 hours of business practice.
At the end of this process, each therapist needs to have two years of post-qualification experience signed and attested by previous or existing employers.
After much persuasion the DHA has stopped the previously mandatory prometric testing because it was too medical for the role of a massage therapist.
“The prometric testing was formulated for medical massage such as physiotherapists rather than spa massage therapists,” said Anne Cook in a letter sent to spa and salon associates to update them on the latest regulation reforms. “No exam is required now but therapists must have the correct qualifications. This is still a challenge due to the two years post-qualification experience required.”
Earlier this month, Cook and Russell met with Dr David Riley, head of licensing at the Dubai Healthcare City (DHCC) to help re-draft the licensing rules for massage therapists.
Necessary adjustments to the healthcare rules include the creation of a Massage Assistant Licence, according to Cook and Russell’s letter. This licence would allow a newly qualified therapist to work under the supervision of a fully qualified existing therapist to gain the two years of work experience required to become a fully licensed therapist.
Having seen an initial draft, the duo have also recommended that some of the 500 hours – which are beyond most educational requirements for massage qualifications – are comprised of additional training.
“This will help existing therapists that fall short of the required 500 hours and enable them to take further training to make up the hours here in Dubai,” continued the letter. “In requesting this, we believe this also sustains staff retention for the spas that already employ them.”
Russell and Cook also advised that therapists who are supported by spas during their training period should remain a further two years in that spa after gaining their full license.
Hotel spas are not under pressure to adhere to the licensing rules but both Cook and Russell advises Dubai-based spa operations of all genres should adhere to the regulations in order to keep up with the industry.
Soul Spa Concepts partners with dR Global to offer clients a long-term spa consultancy service
Dubai healthcare laws are too tough on existing massage therapists: Daniella Russell
Wellness real estate market booming – forecast to reach $913bn by 2028, reports GWI
UAE’s first Dior Spa debuts in Dubai at Dorchester Collection’s newest hotel, The Lana
Europe's premier Evian Spa unveiled at Hôtel Royal in France
Clinique La Prairie unveils health resort in China after two-year project
GoCo Health Innovation City in Sweden plans to lead the world in delivering wellness and new science
Four Seasons announces luxury wellness resort and residences at Amaala
Aman sister brand Janu debuts in Tokyo with four-floor urban wellness retreat
€38m geothermal spa and leisure centre to revitalise Croatian city of Bjelovar
Two Santani eco-friendly wellness resorts coming to Oman, partnered with Omran Group
Kerzner shows confidence in its Siro wellness hotel concept, revealing plans to open 100
Ritz-Carlton, Portland unveils skyline spa inspired by unfolding petals of a rose
Rogers Stirk Harbour & Partners are just one of the names behind The Emory hotel London and Surrenne private members club
Peninsula Hot Springs unveils AUS$11.7m sister site in Australian outback
IWBI creates WELL for residential programme to inspire healthy living environments
Conrad Orlando unveils water-inspired spa oasis amid billion-dollar Evermore Resort complex
Studio A+ realises striking urban hot springs retreat in China's Shanxi Province
Populous reveals plans for major e-sports arena in Saudi Arabia
Wake The Tiger launches new 1,000sq m expansion
Othership CEO envisions its urban bathhouses in every city in North America
Merlin teams up with Hasbro and Lego to create Peppa Pig experiences
SHA Wellness unveils highly-anticipated Mexico outpost
One&Only One Za’abeel opens in Dubai featuring striking design by Nikken Sekkei
Luxury spa hotel, Calcot Manor, creates new Grain Store health club
'World's largest' indoor ski centre by 10 Design slated to open in 2025
Murrayshall Country Estate awarded planning permission for multi-million-pound spa and leisure centre
Aman's Janu hotel by Pelli Clarke & Partners will have 4,000sq m of wellness space
Therme Group confirms Incheon Golden Harbor location for South Korean wellbeing resort
Universal Studios eyes the UK for first European resort
King of Bhutan unveils masterplan for Mindfulness City, designed by BIG, Arup and Cistri
Rural locations are the next frontier for expansion for the health club sector
Ben Channon has written Happy by Design, a new book about how architecture affects our mental health. He explains how we can all be happier at home