On May 14, 2020 the Ontario Government announced the re-opening of some businesses in the province, including the resumption of some health care services (elective surgery and in-person counselling).
The College has developed guidance for PTs to use when the restrictions are lifted.
The guidance has been prepared based on Ministry of Health (MOH) and Public Health Ontario (PHO) information and resources, in collaboration with other health care regulators. The guidance reflects what is known as of today, however the situation is fluid and the guidance may change.
Physiotherapists must follow directions provided by Ontario’s Chief Medical Officer of Health (CMOH), the Ontario Ministry of Health’s guidance for the health sector, and the sector-specific workplace safety guidelines. Direction from the Ministry of Health and Chief Medical Officer of Health overrules anything that may be in this document.
Please consider the guidance as preliminary as MOH and PHO requirements may change.
The guidance includes measures that physiotherapists and employers should begin implementing immediately to prepare their physical space and improve existing policies and procedures to ensure patient safety. The guidance covers the following categories:
- In-person essential care
- Hand hygiene
- Cleaning and disinfecting
- Booking appointments
- Preparing your place of employment
- The appointment
- After the appointments
- Additional resources
Please review the guidance for physiotherapists carefully and start preparing for when the restrictions are lifted. The College is also working on a list of frequently asked questions that will address issues specific to the Standards, policies, and delivery of patient care.
We will continue to share new details about re-opening your practice and returning to work as they become available. Please check the website frequently as new information will be added regularly.
Should you have any questions about preparing your practice for re-opening, please feel free to reach out to our Practice Advice team. They can be reached at advice@collegept.org or 1-800-583-5885 ext. 241.
Guidance for Physiotherapists
Return to Work Information for Employers