COUNCIL NEWS
COLLEGE TO RELOCATE ITS GUELPH OFFICE IN 2022
The Council of the College of Veterinarians of Ontario is pleased to announce the College office will be relocating in 2022 .
“ The College values its history in the building at 2106 Gordon Street and has enjoyed almost 30 years at this location . However , the College has evolved to a point where the current facility on Gordon Street in Guelph is no longer meeting the needs of the organization ,” said College President Dr . Tyrrel de Langley .
Following extensive discussion and review of options , Council has decided to sell the College ’ s current building and lease office space for the College in the Hanlon Creek Business Park . The new office , which will begin construction later this year , will be conveniently located in the south-end of Guelph .
“ Our Council undertook extensive review of all options from renovating the existing building to selling that building and leasing . Leasing emerged as the best option to respond to the College ’ s current and future needs ,” said Dr . de Langley . “ The College Council is always attentive to our budget and managing our resources responsibly - this decision reflects that .”
Moving to the business park provides the College with a more practical location that is more accessible for staff , the profession and the public . As well , the new building supports the College ’ s commitment to energy efficiency and conducting our activities in an ecofriendly manner .
“ The College ’ s current building has become increasingly challenging , and costly , to maintain and is unable to effectively and safely accommodate staff or College activities ,” said Dr . de Langley . “ Further the area around 2106 Gordon Street is slated for high density commercial and residential development which isn ’ t a great fit for us in the longterm . Our Council looks forward to the College ’ s move to the new building in 2022 .”
Please be advised the College office at 2106 Gordon Street in Guelph remains closed to the public due to the pandemic . College staff are working remotely and are available to respond to your inquiries . The College will make an announcement when its office is open to the public again .
College office at 2106 Gordon St ., Guelph
CONSULTATION COMING SOON ON TELEMEDICINE
At its June meeting , College Council reviewed its professional practice standard on telemedicine .
Telemedicine has been used extensively to support the public ’ s access to veterinary medicine throughout the COVID-19 pandemic . In March 2020 , the College relaxed its rules enabling veterinarians to prescribe noncontrolled drugs and substances within a veterinarian-client-patient relationship but without an in-person examination .
Also , given the international environment of telemedicine , jurisdiction is an important consideration . A veterinarian licensed in Ontario remains accountable to the College , which maintains jurisdiction over its licensed members regardless of where or how they are practising . The College also recognizes that circumstances will arise where a veterinarian who is not licensed or living in Ontario chooses to offer veterinary services via telemedicine to an Ontario animal . The College expects that a veterinarian who is not licensed in Ontario will comply with the licensing requirements and standard of care in the jurisdiction in which they hold licensure . If the College becomes aware of concerns about a non-member providing care via telemedicine to an Ontario animal , the College may share that information with the relevant regulatory authority .
Further , Council looked at its standard on prescribing a drug in connection with its telemedicine standard . Following discussion , Council approved changes for public consultation which would permit a veterinarian to obtain recent and sufficient knowledge of an animal through a virtual examination in order to prescribe a non-controlled drug to a new patient or for a new condition with an existing patient where there is an immediate , short-term need under certain conditions , as laid out in the standard on prescribing . It is important to note that the additional requirement to be readily available in-person to manage any adverse reactions to a drug , when prescribing a drug , has not been altered .
The College Council looks forward to your feedback on the revised drafts . This consultation will open later this summer .
2 College Connection Summer 2021 cvo . org