As members may know, the College’s Jurisprudence Course became a registration requirement for all new applicants on July 1. As of April 1, 2018, all members switching from the Inactive class back to the General class must show evidence that they have completed the Jurisprudence Course. Members will only be required to complete the course one time, unless it is required as part of a requalification program. The College’s website and relevant forms will be updated to reflect this new requirement before April, and we will send out reminder notifications in the early part of 2018.
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The Canadian Midwifery Regulators Council (CMRC) is a network of provincial and territorial regulatory authorities. The CMRC provides leadership in maintaining a strong regulatory framework through our work in setting the Canadian Midwifery Competencies, harmonizing eligibility requirements for registration and standards for midwifery practice, administering the national Canadian Midwifery Registration Examination, and approving educational and bridging programs.
Amendments have been made to Ontario’s Personal Health Information & Protection Act (PHIPA), and midwives have had new obligations in providing notice to the Information & Privacy Commissioner regarding privacy breaches effective October 1st, 2017. We’ve updated our Guide to Compliance with PHIPA to add in these new changes so that members can understand what will be required. The updated guide can be found by clicking here, and you’ll find the changes incorporated on page 15 of the guide.
Public Health Ontario has several resources that cover the underlying principles of reprocessing, applicable to all community-based clinics and dental practices performing minor procedures. Through their website, midwives and the public can access online learning modules, checklists, best practice guidance, tools and resources, and reprocessing workshops. Click here to access new resources from Public Health.
Midwives have the authority to order pregnancy diagnostic ultrasounds and pelvic diagnostic ultrasounds under the Controlled Acts Regulation of the Regulated Health Professions Act, 1991. However, the Schedule of Facility Fees for Independent Health Facilities (IHF Schedule) states “Ultrasound for normal, complicated or high risk pregnancy (but not for the postpartum period) rendered in an Independent Health Facility is insured when referred by a midwife who is a member of the College of Midwives of Ontario.”
All practices with an APA type 2 should have received an email from the College of Midwives of Ontario in January of this year, advising that renewal of APA type 2s was extended to December 31st, 2017. This update is to let you know that if you currently have an APA type 2 with the College of Midwives of Ontario, you are not required to renew.
The College of Midwives of Ontario is proposing changes to O. Reg. 168/11 Registration Regulation. The Registration Regulation sets out the requirements for obtaining and maintaining registration with the College of Midwives of Ontario. The College’s current Registration Regulation addresses:
The College of Midwives of Ontario’s Inquiries, Complaints, and Reports Committee (ICRC) investigates public complaints and information the College receives through reports regarding concerns related to professional misconduct, incompetence, or incapacity.
Thank you to everyone who attended our November 1st Member Education Day in Toronto, both those who attended in person and through our live and interactive webcast. We had a full day, with incredibly interesting presentations from our two speakers in the morning. I would like to take this opportunity to extend thanks to Deanna Williams and Dr. Zubin Austin, whose presentations set the stage perfectly for our afternoon discussion of the Professional Standards.
In September 2017, I received a letter from the Minister of Health and Long-Term Care. In the letter, Minister Eric Hoskins writes about the Ministry’s Patients First Action Plan, and states their objective to increase access to the right care, at the right time.