On October 14, the Provincial Health Officer (PHO) posted the Hospital and Community (Health Care and Other Services) COVID-19 Vaccination Status Information and Preventive Measures Order.
Registrants are encouraged to review COTBC’s new Practice Guidance to learn how the October 14 Order may impact their practice.
Occupational therapists occupy a position of public trust due to their knowledge and training in a specific field of health. Their ethical and professional responsibility is to provide information and advice that is factual, backed by science and directly related to their professional designation/scope of practice.
This responsibility extends to professional and personal opinions and statements about COVID-19 that are shared with others, including on social media platforms, online and in the media.
In response to concerns about COVID-19 misinformation, COTBC has published a statement. We encourage all registrants to visit our COVID-19 resources web page often for further updates.
We are inspired by the positive stories we’ve heard from registrants responding to COVID-19 challenges. They provided services in innovative ways to keep the public safe and quality client care as their top priority.
As we adapt and move forward, we want to learn about your experiences so far and what this new normal looks like for you.
We ask that you take the time to complete our short 10-question survey emailed to you earlier this week. We anticipate this might take you 15 – 20 minutes to complete.
Your voice is important as we plan activities and resources to support quality practice in a changing health care environment over the upcoming year. Thank you for taking the time to complete the survey.
On Wednesday, May 6, 2020 the Premier announced BC’s Restart Plan to establish the ‘new normal’. The government’s reopening blueprint has four phases. It’s important to note we are still in Phase One.
Community occupational therapy services are included in Phase Two, which is expected to begin following the May Long Weekend, and no earlier than May 19, 2020. The plan reinforces caution and a slow return to the activities in each phase. [Listen to the Premier’s announcement.]
For OTs in community private practice, we know you have questions including:
In the coming weeks you can expect to receive information from the College to support your return to practice. We are in the process of developing guidelines that outline expectations for occupational therapists when the gradual return to practice is permitted as part of Phase 2.
Developing these guidelines involves working closely with our counterpart BC health regulators. We also receive input from the Provincial Health Officer and Ministry of Health on environmental considerations, requirements for infection prevention and control, and personal protective equipment (PPE).
Our priority is to finalize the guidelines to ensure that the public is protected, and registrants are able to return to community practice safely. Please continue to check the COTBC website for updates and new information.
Thank you for your ongoing professionalism and cooperation during these challenging times.
Please see https://cotbc.org/covid19/.
All registrants are asked to read the latest update from Dr. Bonnie Henry, provincial health officer. We will provide further updates as we receive them.
