Correspondence with Ontario Chiropractic Association – June 25, 2020

Re: Status Update on CCO/OCA initiatives

Communication with Ministry of Health re: Spousal Exception for CCO

Please see the following communication from CCO to the Ministry of Health regarding the processing of a spousal exception for CCO.

Health Minister Announces Enhanced Diagnostic Tools for Chiropractors

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.

Prevention of Sexual Abuse of Patients

The Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care has developed a task force on the prevention of sexual abuse of patients to provide the Minister with advice and recommendations on how best to strengthen the sexual abuse provisions of the Regulated Health Professions Act, 1991. The Minister has communicated to all Ontario health regulatory colleges, requesting a report on policies and programs on the prevention of sexual abuse of patients.

Please see the links below for the letter from the Ministry and CCO’s response outlining CCO’s current policies and procedures on the prevention of sexual abuse of patients.

• Task Force Invitation to Patients – April 1, 2015
• CCO Report to the Minister’s Task Force on the Prevention of Sexual Abuse of Patients – March 5, 2015
• CCO Response – January 23, 2015
• Minister’s Letter – December 17, 2014

Transparency Initiatives

The Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care has communicated to Ontario health regulatory colleges the importance of transparency in the practices and initiatives of the colleges. All colleges have provided the Ministry with a response outlining their current and future transparency practices and initiatives.

Please see the links below for the two letters from the Ministry and CCO’s response outlining CCO’s current transparency practices and future initiatives.

• CCO Response, re: Transparency Initiatives – December 1, 2014
• Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care Letter – October 28, 2014
• Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care Letter – October 13, 2014