Uniform Health Professions Regulatory Framework
Proposed for British Columbia

British Columbia Health Planning Minister Sindi Hawkins has released a proposal paper for comment that has far-reaching implications for the province's current health regulatory structure.

If the draft legislation is enacted, the six current acts governing physicians, optometrists, dentists, podiatrists, chiropractors and registered nurses would be repealed. The draft legislation would also permit the regulation of nurse practitioners, which is an expansion of the current role of nurses.

Other features of the proposal include requiring regulatory bodies to establish quality assurance programs and to improve practice standards. The public would be granted access to information about practitioner's registration and disciplinary history. The minister would have the power to look into the administration of a regulatory body and, if deemed necessary, to appoint a public administrator to replace and carry out the functions of a board if it fails to properly carry out the law's provisions.

Under the new system, scopes of practice would be broad and overlapping, although clinical procedures that may represent a risk to the public will be assigned to specified professions. Examples of these "reserved actions" include invasive acts and prescribing drugs.

The Proposals to Amend the Health Professions Act: Improving Governance and Accountability may be seen in its entirety on the ministry's Web site. Comments will be received from regulatory colleges, professional associations and the public until September 16. The legislation will be introduced in the fall session.

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