engaging
Working With Government
As regulator and public protector, the College works
with government decision-makers to inform policy
development and legislative changes. College authority
is set out in provincial legislation and the College makes
submissions concerning legislation and regulations
to ensure patient protection and the currency and
effectiveness of our governing legislation. We also
respond to legislation that has implications for medical
regulation and patient protection, and are active
participants in the legislative process.
In 2015, we worked closely with government on
areas of shared focus including physician assisted dying,
prevention of sexual abuse, transparency, and assisted
reproduction.
Although 2015 was a relatively quiet year for
provincial legislation introduced that had an impact
on the College, a number of legislative initiatives
were closely followed. Of continued interest to the
College is Bill 33, Safeguarding our Communities Act
(Patch for Patch Return Policy), 2015. The College
has a longstanding interest and concern with opioid
prescribing related issues. The Bill’s primary intent is to
implement a provincial “patch-for-patch” program that
aims to combat the abuse of fentanyl.
The College is working closely with the government
to provide input on the regulations and the roll-out of
this new initiative.
The College also made a submission on Bill 77,
Affirming Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity Act,
2015. This Bill sought to prohibit payment for services
broadly referred to as conversion or reparative therapy,
whose intent is to seek to change or direct the sexual
orientation or gender identity of a patient. The Bill
made it an offence to provide these services to patients
under the age of 18. This Bill passed third reading and
also received Royal Assent on June 4, 2015.
Physician and Public Advisory Services
The Public and Physician Advisory Services area is
the initial contact for members of the public and the
profession. Advisors provide information about CPSO
policies and assist with a wide variety of questions
about physician practice. Advisory staff are the initial
contact for complaints and resolve issues when possible
and appropriate. They also assist physicians in all
aspects of the annual renewal process. They respond to
thousands of inquiries annually, via phone, e-mail, and
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correspondence.
In 2015, a total of 55,647 calls were placed to our
frontline areas, reflecting a 9% decrease from 2014.
The decrease in call volume is partially attributed to
the increased success of the annual renewal process.
Physicians are now more familiar with the online
process and require less assistance.
Approximately 30% of calls from members of the
public are clinical in nature.
COLLEGE OF PHYSICIANS AND SURGEONS OF ONTARIO