The Health Professions and Occupations Act (HPOA) is expected to come into force in 2025 and will replace the current statute, the Health Professions Act. We are committed to updating registrants on the HPOA transition process as we prepare for its implementation next year.
The HPOA will lay the groundwork for transforming how health regulators fulfill their mandate to protect the public. Once in effect, it will improve access to safer health care for patients by:
- Implementing anti-discrimination measures to foster physically, culturally, socially and emotionally safe practices.
- Supporting and promoting awareness of reconciliation with Indigenous Peoples.
- Creating a more transparent complaints process, including the publishing of all disciplinary actions on college websites.
- Creating safety and identity protection measures and support for complainants who have experienced discrimination, sexual abuse or sexual misconduct.
- Establishing the new oversight body: the Office of the Superintendent of Health Profession and Occupation Oversight.
- Appointing a new independent discipline tribunal.
Over the last several months, CPSBC has been working with the Ministry of Health, other health regulators and key partners to plan for this transition. A project steering committee comprised of the registrars from all colleges has been established to develop a governance framework and provide oversight to the HPOA transition. CPSBC has also established an internal project team to support its efforts and provide updates to the steering committee.
Regulatory working groups with subject matter expertise from all colleges have also been formed to develop bylaws. To date, working groups have been established for the following areas: governance, complaints, licensure, practice standards, health monitoring, and quality assurance. There will be broad consultation with the public, registrants and other key health partners once the bylaws have been drafted.
Part of the HPOA transition includes improving the efficiency and effectiveness of health regulation through the amalgamation of several health regulatory colleges. In June, the new College of Health and Care Professionals of BC and the College of Complementary Health Professionals of BC officially formed. These amalgamations reduced the number of colleges in BC from 15 to six.
Another significant milestone in June was the government appointment of superintendent Sherri Young to lead the new Office of the Superintendent of Health Profession and Occupation Oversight. The superintendent’s responsibilities will include making merit-based recommendations to government for board appointments, overseeing regulatory colleges by setting standards for good governance, and conducting audits, investigations and general reviews to ensure regulators are serving their public interest mandate.
While the HPOA will transform health regulation in BC on a systems level, many of the processes and operational touchpoints through which registrants interact with CPSBC will remain the same. To help with the transition, we have developed frequently asked questions to provide more details on what registrants can expect under the HPOA. New questions and answers will be added over time.
I look forward to continuing the collaborative work that will advance a regulatory framework that is efficient, consistent, effective, and firmly focused on the public interest. I also look forward to providing registrants with more updates over the next year on the developments and milestones of the HPOA transition.
Patrick Rowe, MD, CCFP (EM), FCFP
Registrar and CEO
Comments on this or any other article published in the College Connector can be submitted to the communications and public affairs department at communications@cpsbc.ca.