In November 2019, the Steering Committee on Modernization of Health Professional Regulation released a “paper for consultation” for the purpose of seeking feedback from British Columbians and health sector stakeholders that “will assist the Steering Committee on Modernization of Health Professional Regulation to refine their proposal on how to modernize the regulatory framework for health professions in British Columbia.”
Health Action Network Society is concerned that the public has not been adequately informed of, nor consulted on, the impacts the proposed framework will potentially have on their access to the complementary, integrative, natural, and alternative therapies they require. Therefore, we ask the Steering Committee on Modernization of Health Professional Regulation to make public and accessible the following:
1. Consultation methodology, including identification of target groups and tools (e.g. survey)
2. Results of both phases of the consultative process.
The first phase of the consultative process appears to have consisted of collection of feedback (method undetermined) over one month, ending June 14, 2019, resulting in 300 submissions: 190 members of the public, 50 health practitioners, 25 professional associations, 18 regulators, and 30 other health sector stakeholders, including unions.
The second phase of consultation took place between November 27, 2019 and January 10, 2020 and appears to have consisted of an online survey (no longer available) and an email address to which written submissions could be made.
If implemented, the proposed regulatory framework would apply measures designed to severely restrict practitioners’ ability to properly care for their patients within the universal parameters of their profession. Proposed drastic changes to the current framework include:
- reduction of the number of regulatory colleges from 20 to five. Chiropractors, dietitians, massage therapists, naturopathic physicians, occupational therapists, opticians, optometrists, physical therapists, psychologists, speech and hearing professionals, traditional Chinese medicine practitioners, and acupuncturists would be regulated by the College of Health and Care Professions;
- implementation of disciplinary panels appointed by the Minister of Heath;
- strengthening of the oversight of regulatory colleges;
- enabling regulatory colleges to speak publicly, and to the media, about known complaints.
We urge everyone to read Modernizing the provincial health profession regulatory framework: A paper for consultation by scrolling to the bottom of this page and clicking on the last link: https://engage.gov.bc.ca/healthprofessionregulation/
If you are a patient or consumer of complementary, integrative, natural or alternative therapies, please discuss the potential impacts of this proposed framework with your practitioner.
To Sign the petition, click here.
I have no faith in Health Canada’s understanding and respect for Canadian’s choices for health care.
Lobbying by the pharmaceutical corporations, that allows “gifts”, or other incentives can obviously put Canadians at risk. Case in point is Vioxx which was touted as a wonder drug for arthritis, but ended up causing heart disease, and death..
From Globe and Mail Jan 25, 2005: “Dr. Graham and colleagues estimate that during the five years Vioxx was sold in the United States, it caused between 88,000 and 140,000 excess cases of serious heart disease. Based on national statistics of heart disease and deaths, the researchers estimate that close to half of those cases, or 44 per cent, would have resulted in fatalities. This means anywhere from 39,000 to 61,000 deaths in the United States could be linked to Vioxx.”
I find it appalling, that Health Canada even examines products used in Natural Health – at great cost for those who for many years have helped suffering people WITHOUT killing them.
Well…how can we discuss this with our practitioners when everything is shut down? Maybe ask again in the fall when we have some interaction with them. I use natural remedies and TCM when I can, far more than going to a regular physician.