August 27, 2020

Dear Registrants,

This email blasts covers the following topics:

  • UPDATE ON STEERING COMMITTEE ON MODERNIZATION OF HEALTH PROFESSION REGULATION
  • SAN’YAS INDIGENOUS CULTURAL SAFETY TRAINING COURSE
  • DEVELOPMENT OF FUTURE COLLEGE WORKSHOPS/WEBINARS
  • KEEPING IN TOUCH WITH THE COLLEGE

Steering Committee Update

The Steering Committee on Modernization of Health Professional Regulation has today released its recommendations to modernize the provincial health profession regulatory framework. The Steering Committee is comprised of Minister Dix and MLAs Norm Letnick, health critic for the official Opposition, and Sonia Furstenau, health critic and house leader of the third party. These final recommendations follow on feedback the Steering Committee received from the initial proposal for consultation released in November of 2019.

The recommendations include changes to the governance structure and representation of professions and the public in the governance of professional colleges, the establishment of a new oversight authority and changes to the complaints process including broader authority to release information about investigations and disciplinary proceedings.

The Steering Committee has recommended a reduction in the number of colleges from 18 to six, including the creation of a college of “College of Allied Health and Care Professionals, should include: dietitians, occupational therapists, opticians, optometrists, physical therapists, psychologists, and speech and hearing professionals”. The Steering Committee has proposed this college would in the future be able to undertake the regulation of diagnostic and therapeutic professions and other professions which require regulation.

The Steering Committee has now reported these recommendations to the cabinet, and Minister Dix has advised that decisions of proceeding with many of the recommendations will rest with Cabinet and eventually the legislature, as new legislation is required for their implementation. Amalgamations of colleges may not require legislative change, and the existing provisions have been used in the amalgamation of the nursing colleges as well as the more recent amalgamations of the nurses and midwives and the physicians and surgeons and podiatric surgeons.

The College of Psychologists Board will be examining the Steering Committee recommendations in more detail in coming days and the College will provide more information to registrants regarding the process of approval and implementation of these recommendations as it becomes available. Registrants will find a copy of the Steering Committee press release and report at https://news.gov.bc.ca/releases/2020HLTH0266-001598

As always, the College will endeavor to keep registrants up to date with information.

San’yas Indigenous Cultural Safety Training Course

The Quality Assurance Committee amended the continuing competency policy in 2017 to allow for the San’yas Indigenous Cultural Safety Training Course (located at http://www.sanyas.ca/training/british-columbia) to be claimed for credit in Category A (Direct Participatory, Formal Programs). Many registrants have participated in the course and have reported their experience of the program to be very informative and thought provoking. As we enter into the fall, registrants who are considering how to complete their CCP requirements prior to renewal are encouraged to include this online course in their plans.

Webinars/Workshops Under Development

The College is in active discussions with potential workshop leaders, with expertise in self-care, about presenting webinars for registrants within in the next month or two. We expect to be able to provide information about dates and costs shortly.

 Keeping in Touch:

CPBC email updates and the COVID-19 updates webpage are offered to registrants as a means of keeping registrants informed on a timely basis regarding the practice of psychology during the pandemic.

The College is proud and appreciative of the high standard of services the profession continues to provide during these difficult and novel circumstances.  The importance of self-care during these challenging times remains paramount.  The Practice Support Service remains available to all registrants for no charge.  We also continue to appreciate the comments and suggestions received via the feedback email:  feedback@collegeofpsychologists.bc.ca.

On behalf of the College Board and Staff, please accept my best wishes for your good health.

Dr. Andrea Kowaz, Registrar