Reporting a health concern
Protecting patients and the public
Why the Health Monitoring Program matters
The Health Monitoring Program exists to ensure that licensees with health conditions can practise safely without putting patients at risk. When a licensee's health condition—whether physical, cognitive, or mental—begins to affect their ability to provide safe care, CPSBC steps in to protect the public.
What is a health concern?
A health concern is a physical, cognitive or mental health condition which can include:
- a condition affecting manual dexterity
- a condition affecting visual acuity
- cognitive impairment
- mental health diagnosis
- substance use disorder
- blood-borne viral infections
- any other health condition that might reasonably be expected to impact the practice of medicine
A medical practice can include clinical practice and direct patient contact, as well as research, teaching, administration and medical regulation. A health concern can begin to negatively impact your practice when it has the potential to cause harm to a patient or the public.
Supporting safe, competent care
HPOA, Bylaws, and capacity
The Health Monitoring Program has been operating for many years to address the health conditions of licensees when such a condition adversely affects their ability to practise safe, competent, ethical care.
Under the Health Professions and Occupations Act, “fitness to practice” refers to a licensee’s skills, knowledge and competence to practise.
A licensee’s “capacity” refers to their good health and well-being to practise safely.
Under CPSBC Bylaws, the Health Monitoring Program is required to evaluate and monitor a licensee’s health in situations where a health condition is negatively impacting their fitness and capacity to practice.
Reporting a health concern
Health concerns can be reported the following ways:
- by phone at 604-733-7758 extension 2630
- by email to monitoring@cpsbc.ca
- by confidential direct fax at 604-646-9110
When there is a health concern, the Health Monitoring Program speaks with the affected licensee and their treating physician(s) to confirm the licensee’s fitness to practise.
The licensee may be asked to provide a letter from their treating physician(s) and/or care provider(s), enter into health monitoring, or take time away while addressing their health issues.
Health information is kept confidential within the Health Monitoring Program
Regulatory reporting
CPSBC licensees have an ethical and legal responsibility to notify CPSBC if they or a colleague have a health issue that impairs their fitness to practise.
What to expect after the health concern is raised
Health Monitoring Program may take the following actions if a health concern is raised:
- a conversation between the licensee and the deputy registrar to discuss the possible health issue
- a request for information from care providers to give insight and context to a health condition and its impact on a licensee’s practice
- a request for an assessment of fitness to practise or an assessment of the capacity of a licensee to practise safely and competently
- asking the licensee to temporarily leave practice until they are deemed fit to return
- if appropriate, ongoing health monitoring through regular fitness to practise confirmations