The College of Chiropractors of Ontario (CCO) is delighted with the recent decision by the Honourable Minister of Health and Long-Term Care, Dr. Eric Hoskins, to enhance the diagnostic tools with which chiropractors work. This demonstrates a real commitment to improving community-based care in Ontario and will greatly benefit the public.

As the organization mandated with regulating chiropractic care in Ontario, CCO applauds the government’s effort to enhance the ability of chiropractors to order laboratory tests and diagnostic ultrasound – with the CCO’s support – so that the safety and efficacy of chiropractic care continues to be aligned with the public interest.

The Minister has demonstrated a true commitment to the Patients First Act in addressing regulatory gaps that have prevented chiropractors from ordering necessary tests in the past. By doing so, this will:

• Lead to more effective integration of services among chiropractors, family physicians, and other practitioners by ensuring the right information is available to the right people at the right time;
• Ensure timely access to primary care by reducing visits for which patients are seeking diagnostic services chiropractors are able to perform;
• Help the Ministry meet its target of providing more consistent and accessible home and community care;
• Create stronger links between chiropractors and other regulated health professionals who look after Ontarians; and
• Support CCO’s public interest mandate in ensuring that Ontarians have access to competent and ethical chiropractic care.

CCO looks forward to working with the Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care, chiropractors, the public and other stakeholders on this important advancement in the scope of practice for chiropractors.