CPSBC recently updated its Care Coverage Outside Regular Office Hours practice standard, which is now titled Availability and Coverage.
Following approval from the board on February 20, 2026, the practice standard and accompanying FAQs have now been published on the CPSBC website:
• Availability and Coverage practice standard
• Availability and Coverage FAQs
Key changes include
- a new, more concise title,
- more clarity outlining when after-hours coverage is required,
- new content addressing voicemail systems and critical lab results, and
- emphasis that patients must only be directed to the emergency room when clinically indicated.
The changes follow an extensive, 10-month engagement process that sought feedback from licensees, key health partners, and the public, consisting of both survey data and qualitative input. The revised standard incorporates major themes from the engagement to clarify expectations for after-hours care and address identified gaps in the standard.
While the updated standard provides greater clarity and removes the blanket requirement for 24/7 care, licensees remain responsible for ensuring appropriate availability and continuity of care for their patients as needed. This includes using their professional judgment to determine appropriate coverage arrangements based on patient needs, ensuring systems are in place to receive and respond to critical test results in a timely manner, and providing clear patient instructions for accessing care when a clinic is closed. Licensees must only direct patients to emergency departments when clinically indicated.
CPSBC extends a sincere thank you to all those who participated in the consultation on this practice standard.
Questions regarding the practice standard can be directed to communications@cpsbc.ca. Additionally, CPSBC’s licensee support coaches are available to licensees who may have questions about applying the standard to their specific practice.