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| Backgrounder(s) & FactSheet(s): | Backgrounder |
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| Backgrounder(s) & FactSheet(s): | Backgrounder |
VICTORIA – Following through on commitments made in the
throne speech, Health Minister George Abbott today introduced the Health Professions Regulatory Reform Act.
The legislation will expand patient access to and choice of health
professionals, while making British Columbia the most attractive and
welcoming place in Canada for health professionals to work.
“British Columbians were very clear in the
Conversation on Health they wanted greater access to health-care
professionals to help prevent and manage chronic diseases, and ensure acute
care professionals are there when needed,” said Abbott. “The
Health Professions Regulatory Reform Act will enhance the scopes of
practice of existing health-care professionals, welcome new health-care
professionals to our province, and welcome back Canadians who left for training
or work in other countries.”
The act will enable qualified physicians working in
other provinces and countries to practise in British Columbia with a restricted
licence in their specific areas of qualification. Pharmacists will be permitted to authorize routine prescription
renewals. Nurses will have an enhanced
scope of practice. Canadian citizens who trained in medical schools or work
outside Canada will be welcomed home with opportunities to practise in British
Columbia.
“This government is moving forward on the
subject of immigration doctor integration, and AIMD BC is very encouraged by
the co-operation we have received from the Ministry of Health,” said Dr. Carla
Fast, president of the Association of International Medical Doctors of B.C.
A new
Health Professions Review Board will be empowered to review
college decisions in individual cases of registration refusal or complaints about
registrants so as to ensure that all qualified health workers can fully and
appropriately utilize their training and skills, and not be denied that right
by unnecessary credentialing and licensure restrictions. New advisory panels
can be established to provide advice and recommendations to the health minister
on system-wide issues such as entry-to-practice requirements and scope of
practice expansion requests or disputes.
“These two new bodies will improve the
accountability of health profession colleges to professionals wanting to work
in British Columbia and to the public who want greater access to health
professionals in their communities,” said Abbott.
The
Health Professions Regulatory Reform Act will also enhance
the transparency of health profession colleges, particularly in relation to
their disciplinary proceedings. All colleges will now be required to publicly
post the outcome of disciplinary hearings that result in actions against health
professionals. In addition, they will be required to notify complainants of the
outcome of the investigation.
“We are responding to British Columbians who called
for more transparency of health profession colleges, and especially their
members who may have been found to have acted inappropriately,” said Abbott.
“Health profession colleges will be also be required to fund the costs of
counselling programs for victims of professional misconduct by a member of
their college.”
British Columbia is already at the forefront of Canadian
health profession regulatory reform, along with Alberta and Ontario. With these
latest innovations, British Columbia will maintain its position as a Canadian
leader in regulating health professions.
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Communications Director Ministry of Health 250 812-5571 (cell) 250 952-1887 (media line) |
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For more information on government services or to subscribe to the Province’s news feeds using RSS, visit the Province’s website at www.gov.bc.ca. |
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