On August 27, 2020, the Ministry of Health released the report of the multi-party Steering Committee that outlines its final recommendations to the health minister on how to modernize BC’s health profession regulatory system. The report, Recommendations to modernize the provincial health profession regulatory framework, has implications for all health profession regulatory colleges in BC.
The report describes specific recommendations for changes within the following key areas:
- Commitment to cultural safety and humility
- Improved governance
- Improved efficiency and effectiveness through a reduction in the number of regulatory colleges
- Strengthening the oversight of regulatory colleges
- Complaints and adjudication
- Information sharing to improve patient safety and public trust
The Steering Committee recommendations for changes to health profession regulation follows an extensive review and consultation process, led by the BC Ministry of Health, which considered ways to modernize and improve the provincial health profession regulatory framework. The report reflects feedback from regulators, including the College of Occupational Therapists of British Columbia, the public and a broad range of other health sector organizations.
Kathy Corbett, registrar of the College of Occupational Therapists (COTBC), the regulatory agency for more than 2,649 occupational therapists in the province, says their mandate for the last 20 years, has always been, and will remain, to serve and protect the public.
“Our experience in health profession regulation will be integral to assisting the province to implement their recommendations. We will continue to act in the public’s best interest as we work to advance accountable health profession regulation in BC.”
Read the province’s news release
Read the Steering Committee’s final framework
