Chiropractors of B.C. Join Health Professions Act

BC INCREASES ACCOUNTABILITY
FOR CHIROPRACTIC PROFESSION

The Province continues to streamline the regulation of health professions in B.C. with the transition of the chiropractic profession under the Health Professions Act, Health Services Minister George Abbott announced today.

“Today, the College of Chiropractors of B.C. joined 16 other health profession colleges under the umbrella of the Health Professions Act, and we have been pleased to work closely with the College throughout this transition phase,” said Abbott. “The Province has made significant strides in health regulatory reform over the past year, and this move brings a new level of accountability and transparency for British Columbians accessing the services of chiropractors in this province.”

The College of Chiropractors of B.C. is responsible for the licensing and registration of the more than 1,000 doctors of chiropractic in B.C.

Also transitioning under the Health Professions Act today is the optometry profession and the newly created College of Optometrists of B.C. Three more professions will transition under the act over the next three months.

“The movement of the chiropractic profession under the Health Professions Act recognizes the public’s desire for more accountability and transparency in B.C.’s health professions, and we will continue to work hard to meet our mandate of ensuring public safety and holding our members to the highest standards of professionalism,” said Dr. Patrick Bickert, chair of the board of the College of Chiropractors of B.C.

Eighteen professions, regulated by 17 professional colleges, are now covered under B.C.’s Health Professions Act. These include: chiropractors; dental hygienists; dental technicians; denturists; dietitians; licensed practical nurses; massage therapists; midwives; naturopathic physicians; occupational therapists; opticians; optometrists; physical therapists; psychologists; registered nurses (including nurse practitioners); registered psychiatric nurses; traditional Chinese medicine practitioners; and, acupuncturists.

B.C. continues to be one of the national leaders in the regulation of health professions and has implemented a number of key changes over the past year to increase patient choice and to enhance transparency and accountability for patients. All new members of a board of a health profession college are now required to sign an oath to ensure that they are guided by the public interest in the performance of their duties. Additionally, the 17 health profession colleges that are now operating under the Health Professions Act are required to publicly post information about college disciplinary proceedings.

Additionally, in December 2008, British Columbia announced that it is the second Canadian province, after Ontario, to establish an independent health professions review body. The Health Professions Review Board will have the power to review the timeliness and outcome of health regulatory college decisions and will soon begin receiving applications for review.