Changes coming to improve safety of B.C. health care patients
Posted August 27, 2020 11:33 am.
VICTORIA (NEWS 1130) — Changes are coming to improve the safety of patients in B.C.’s health-care system, merging regulatory colleges and creating an independent oversight body.
Modernization plans include stronger oversight of all health professions and reducing the number of colleges to six from 20.
A steering committee released its final report, “Recommendations to modernize the provincial health profession regulatory framework,” Thursday.
The steering committee, set up last year, suggests setting up an independent oversight body, making all complaints public and the creation of a new disciplinary process, as well as setting performance standards.
Starting next week, the College of Podiatric Surgeons will be merged with the College of Physicians and Surgeons So will the College of Midwives and College of Nursing Professionals, but other streamlining may require approval in the Legislature, Health Minister Adrian Dix said.
The goal is to improve safety and ensure confidence in the people taking care of them.
There are currently 20 regulatory bodies in #BC which will be streamlined down to 6. #bcpoli @NEWS1130 pic.twitter.com/N9JTG46zEL— Marcella Bernardo (@Bernardo1130) August 27, 2020
Other improvements include making it easier for the remaining colleges to share information with each other when necessary for public safety.
There are currently no plans to de-regulate any health professions.
Cultural safety is also among the elements of recommended reform.
“Work should be undertaken to determine how cultural safety and humility should be supported by the regulatory framework,” the report says.
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Further recommendations include appointing board members through “a competency-based process,” with an equal number of public and professional members.
The six colleges would group professionals under banners including complementary and alternative healthcare providers, such as chiropractors and massage therapists, and acupuncturists.
Dieticians, opticians, optometrists, psychologists, and physical therapists would fall under allied healthcare professionals.
Independent oversight is coming for health care professionals in #BC including doctors, nurses, dentists and midwives.
Health Minister @adriandix is announcing details now in #Victoria. #bcpoli @NEWS1130 pic.twitter.com/eP6PZZdeZy— Marcella Bernardo (@Bernardo1130) August 27, 2020
Pharmacists, nursing professionals — including midwives — and physicians and surgeons would all have their own colleges, as would oral health professionals.
Read the full report:
Technical briefing presentation - Ministry of Health - Modernizing health regulation in BC
