DDO Legislative Update
A weekly scan of new legislation and regulations important to the Ontario health sector, as well as articles of interest.
by Pam Seto
Bills
Bill 87 – Protecting Patients Act, 2017
The Bill received royal assent on May 30, 2017.
The Bill implements health measures and measures relating to seniors by enacting, amending or repealing various statutes. The following acts are amended:
- Drug and Pharmacies Regulation Act
- The Act was amended to facilitate implementation of interim orders regarding suspensions and imposition of terms, conditions and limitations.
- Immunization of School Pupils Act
- The Act is amended to require parents to complete immunization education sessions before filing a statement of conscience or religious belief; expand the categories of people who provide statements re immunizing agents; and requiring agents who administer immunizations to provide information.
- Laboratory and Specimen Collection Centre Licensing Act
- Some of the amendments to the Act include: new definitions (i.e. Laboratory facility); emergency suspension of licenses; powers of inspectors are changed; revisions to prosecutions of offences under the Act.
- Some other acts are also amended as a result of the changes in this Act
- Animals for Research Act
- Health Insurance Act
- Public Hospitals Act
- Ontario Drug Benefit Act
- The Act is amended to add a new definition for an “authorized prescriber” and “registered nurse in extended class”, and the regulations can incorporate documents by reference as amended.
- Regulated Health Professions Act
- The Act and its Health Professions Procedural Code (“Code”) has been amended. Some of the amendments to the Act include:
- S. 36.1 is expanded to include health human resources research
- Minister given power to make regulations respecting committees and panels
- Information in the register that is required by the College to take note is expanded
- Definition of “Parent” has been expanded for the purposes of the sexual abuse provisions of the Code
- Inquiries, Complaints and Reports Committee may make an order for interim suspension of the member’s certificate of registration
- Imposition of gender-based terms, conditions or limitations on certificate of registration is prohibited
- Grounds for mandatory revocation of a certificate of a member who has sexually abused a patient is expanded
- Members are required to report to the Registrar if they belong to professional bodies outside of Ontario
- Members are required to report to the Registrar if they have been charged with an offence
- Mandatory programs for Colleges to provide funding for therapy and counselling for patients who were sexually abused by members is expanded
- Penalties for failing to report sexual abuse of patients is increased
- The Act and its Health Professions Procedural Code (“Code”) has been amended. Some of the amendments to the Act include:
The Elderly Persons Centres Act is repealed and replaced with a new Seniors Active Living Centres Act, 2017. The Act is amended to allow an operator that is NOT an individual to obtain funding from Minster Responsible for Seniors Affairs to establish a program if a director appointed by the Minister approves of the operator and the program (it must promote active and healthy living, social engagement and learning for seniors).
Introduced by Hon. Eric Hoskins, Minister of Health and Long-Term Care.
For more information: http://www.ontla.on.ca/web/bills/bills_detail.do?locale=en&Intranet=&BillID=4477
Regulations
- No regulations of interest.
Articles of Interest
Health Care Funding
Building a Stronger, Healthier Ontario
Opioids Crisis
Alberta commission to tackle overdose crisis
Ohio Sues 5 Major Drug Companies For ‘Fueling Opioid Epidemic’
MAID
Dying at home: What I learned from my husband’s death
Seniors and Health
‘This must be God.’ Woodstock nurse describes ‘red surge’ she felt before killing eight seniors
It’s wrong to see older Canadians as a drain on the system
Self-care
Is impostor syndrome holding you back at work?
How delaying meal times can affect your body clock
Reality check: Should you wash your hands in warm or cold water?
Here’s how much screen time your kids should be getting, according to new recommendations