How does professionally-led regulation work ?
The privilege to self-regulate is given to the medical profession by society on the understanding that we will exercise our authority in the public interest . In actuality , the College is a professionally-led organization working in partnership with the public .
The governing Council consists of at least 32 and no more than 34 members :
• 16 physicians elected by their peers on a geographic basis ;
• three physicians appointed from among the six faculties of medicine in Ontario ;
• no fewer than 13 and no more than 15 non-physician or ‘ public ’ members appointed by the provincial government .
Council meets four times a year – we invite you to attend these meetings that are held at our office at 80 College Street , Toronto . If this isn ’ t possible , make sure to read Council Update , an e-newsletter that we send you directly following the meeting or look for the “ Reports from Council ” article that appears in Dialogue . In this way , you will keep up-to-date on the important issues discussed and the actions taken by Council .
But medicine is no longer one of only a few self-governing health professions as there are more than 20 health regulatory colleges in Ontario .* Each of the health colleges has the responsibility to regulate its members in accordance with provincial legislation .
The role and authority of the College is set out in the Regulated Health Professions Act ( RHPA ), the Health Professions Procedural Code , the Medicine Act , and the regulations made under these Acts . The functions of its committees – registration ; inquiries , complaints and reports ; discipline ; fitness to practise ; quality assurance ; premises inspection and patient relations – are also set out in the legislation .
Above all , the College has a duty to serve and protect the public interest . In fact , just as doctors are obligated to put their patients ’ best interests first , professional self-regulation must operate in the public interest .
Our Council has developed a strategic plan which sets College priorities for the next several years . The priorities articulated in the strategic plan serve as a guide to action and focus our energies toward attaining our vision – Quality Professionals , Healthy System , Public Trust .
Regulated Health Professions
• Audiology and Speech- Language Pathology
• Chiropody
• Chiropractic
• Dental Hygiene
• Dental Technology
• Dentistry
• Denturism
• Dietetics
• Homeopathy
• Kinesiology
• Massage Therapy
• Medical Laboratory Technology
• Medical Radiation Technology
• Medicine
• Midwifery
• Naturopathy
• Nursing
• Occupational Therapy
• Opticianry
• Optometry
• Pharmacy
• Physiotherapy
• Psychology
• Psychotherapy
• Respiratory Therapy
• Traditional Chinese Medicine
Welcome to the College – May 2016 4