Private Health Schools Under Scrutiny: Council of State Sides with the French Order of Physiotherapists

The Council of State has suspended the practice authorizations granted to several graduates of the United Campus of Malta (UCM), confirming repeated warnings from the French National Council of Physiotherapists (CNOMK). These decisions, issued in summary proceedings after cassation, acknowledge a “serious doubt” regarding the validity of these programs and stress the urgency of suspending their effects due to potential risks to patient safety.

Private Schools: A Strong Signal on Diploma Recognition

For several years, the CNOMK has been denouncing the proliferation of private health schools, often based abroad, offering profit-driven programs that do not meet required quality standards. These courses, sometimes entirely online, promise access to regulated professions but leave many students in an administrative and professional dead-end.

In the case of UCM, the training is not recognized by the Maltese authorities and does not allow graduates to practice physiotherapy in Malta. As a result, the diplomas cannot be recognized in France, making legal practice in the country impossible.

Patient Safety and Students’ Futures at the Heart of the Issue

According to Pascale Mathieu, president of CNOMK, these decisions “reaffirm a fundamental requirement: access to physiotherapy cannot be built without guarantees of quality care.” She calls for a rapid consultation with public authorities to provide a solution for affected graduates while ensuring the long-term safety of health training programs.

Since 2014, the Order has been alerting authorities about these private structures, which primarily target French students. Despite several warnings to the ministries, these problematic practices continued. CNOMK welcomes the “new willingness to listen” expressed by Ministers Yannick Neuder and Stéphanie Rist, hoping that a joint effort will prevent such situations from recurring.

CNOMK Remains Vigilant

Determined to continue its role as a regulator, the French Physiotherapists’ Council remains fully mobilized. Its mission: protect patients, guarantee quality care, and support students trapped in private programs driven by profit rather than training.

“Our responsibility is to ensure that every future professional benefits from a rigorous, recognized training path fully compliant with physiotherapy standards,” concludes the Council.

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Gabriel MIHAI

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