Date: 11-May-2009

College of Physiotherapists of Ontario Supports Proposed Scope of Practice Legislation

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
May 11, 2009

The College of Physiotherapists of Ontario (the College), the regulatory body for Ontario’s nearly 7000 physiotherapists, today announced its support for new legislation that will give Ontarians better access to the health care services they need.  The bill called the Regulated Health Professions Statute Law Amendment Act, was introduced May 11, 2009 by Ontario Minister of Health and Long-Term Care, David Caplan.  It will enable physiotherapists to order tests such as x-rays and will permit them to diagnose patients’ conditions that are within the scope of practice of the profession of physiotherapy.   

This new legislation will expand the legislated scope of practice of physiotherapists to conform more closely with their current competencies.  The Bill will also change the scopes of practice of a number of other health professionals including nurses and pharmacists.  These changes will help to ensure that Ontario patients have improved access to safe and effective health care services.  The changes will also make possible the efficient and effective use of the competencies of a variety of professionals which promotes interprofessional collaborative care.    

Specifically, the changes will enable physiotherapists, who have demonstrated the required education and competence, to provide additional health care services such as ordering x-rays, to diagnose conditions that may be identified using a physiotherapy assessment, and to treat wounds and conditions including urinary incontinence or pelvic pain.

Jan Robinson, College Registrar and CEO, commented that “the College shares the government’s commitment to improve the ability of Ontarians to obtain the safe and effective health care they need and to also improve the efficiency of the health care system by allowing physiotherapists and other regulated health care professionals to practice to the full extent of their education and competence.”

The College, as part of its statutory duty to protect the public interest through the regulation of physiotherapists, is pleased to support the Minister’s implementation of this initiative through its role in setting both standards and continuing competency measures.

Lori Neill, President of the College Council and a practicing physiotherapist, said “this legislation demonstrates the provincial government’s confidence in the ability of the province’s health professionals to assume additional responsibility in caring for the public – Ontarians can rest assured that this confidence is not misplaced.”  

To view the College’s submission to the Health Professions Regulatory Advisory Committee (HPRAC) and their report to the Minister, please click here.


For more information, please contact:

Karin Micheelsen, Director of Communications
Tel: 416-591-3828 or 1-800-583-5885, Ext. 234
Email: kmicheelsen@collegept.org
www.collegept.org

About the College of Physiotherapists of Ontario

First and foremost, the College exists to protect the public interest. Unlike a professional association that acts to promote the interests of its members, the College acts to protect the public interest by regulating and continually improving the practice of physiotherapists. A wide range of initiatives support this objective including:
 
The development of ethical guidelines and standards of practice;

• Formal and informal partnerships with physiotherapy educators; professional associations, government, the insurance industry, other regulatory bodies and consumers;
• Ongoing monitoring of research activities and policy issues;
• Member education programs to prevent sexual abuse and avoid practices that could lead to complaints; and
• Activities to improve the quality of physiotherapy care and help registrants maintain competence throughout their professional lives.

The College receives its regulatory authority from provincial legislation called the Regulated Health Professions Act (RHPA). While the RHPA sets out the common requirements for all health regulatory colleges, each college has a profession-specific act — in the case of the physiotherapy profession, it is the Physiotherapy Act, 1991.

Under the provisions of the Physiotherapy Act, 1991, only those who are registered with the College are permitted to use the title "physiotherapist" or "physical therapist".

The College is governed by a Council composed of 10 elected or appointed members of the profession and seven members of the public who are appointed by the government. The College is accountable to the Minister of Health and Long-Term Care to act in the best interests of the public.

Copies of the Bill itself and a more detailed analysis of it will be provided as soon as possible.

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