In the short time since the amalgamation to create the College of Health and Care Professionals of BC (CHCPBC), we have been settling into our role as the regulator of nine health care professions.
The 12-member Board met shortly before amalgamation day to approve the items that were essential to set up the new regulatory college. On June 25, the Board began with Knowledge Keeper Gary Johnston who opened the meeting, sharing his wisdom of the expanse and diversity of the Sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish Nation). The Board then approved:
- The College’s bylaws
- The appointment of the Registrar, and the Deputy Registrar
- Terms of reference for the five regulatory committees and three board support committees
- The budget for the College’s first year of operations
- The reports of the Chair and CEO.
What you can expect from your new regulatory college:
- How will CHCPBC maintain profession-specific understanding and capacity? CHCPBC acknowledges the importance of profession specific expertise to the regulation of professions. You will see this reflected on both the staff side, in the form of professional practice advisors, and in the Professional Practice & Standards Advisory Committee, which informs profession-specific decisions and will include registrants from each health profession we regulate.
- Are fees going to increase? Registrant fees are unchanged at this time. The College will be considering the fee model for the new organization in the coming months. We will advise registrants of any changes to the fee structure when that information becomes available.
- Are standards for my profession changing? The standards and ethical requirements for your profession are unchanged. You have access to professional practice support to assist you with any questions about regulatory requirements in your practice. Professional practice advisors are available to answer your questions – by phone at 1-877-742-6715 (press #3 for practice support) or via the Contact Us form.
- Are quality assurance requirements changing? The requirements of your quality assurance (continuing competence) program are unchanged. All program elements and submission due dates that applied to your profession prior to amalgamation remain in place.
- How can I provide input into the regulation of my profession? There will be more opportunities for you to engage with your regulatory college. We will be seeking your input and feedback to inform our communications activities and to enhance our regulatory decision making.
- Will there be a continued commitment to reconciliation, and equity, diversity and inclusion? Yes. In fact, the Board solidified this commitment at a Coast Salish blanketing ceremony.
Priorities since amalgamation
In the time since the official amalgamation on June 28, three of our key areas of focus have been:
- Continuing to refine the organizational design, and to support our staff to transition to new roles and/or new teams and fill human resource gaps.
- Collecting and reviewing legacy policies and processes to understand and begin to create a consistent approach to the core areas of regulation: licensure, quality practice and investigations.
- Ensuring that any risks to the public are identified and mitigated.
It has certainly been exciting times as we work towards the amalgamation and are now officially regulating nine professions, including audiologists, dietitians, hearing instrument practitioners, occupational therapists, opticians, optometrists, physical therapists, psychologists and speech-language pathologists.
While our response times may be delayed during this time of transition, I am confident that our efficiency will continue to improve in the weeks and months to come. CHCPBC is here to support you in the delivery of safe and ethical care to your patients and clients. Please reach out to me at any time at dianne.millette@chcpbc.org.
Dianne Millette
Registrar & Chief Executive Officer
College of Health and Care Professionals of BC
Comments on this message or any other CHCPBC content can be submitted to the communications department at gro.cbpchc@snoitacinummoc.
