November 24, 2024
OPA submitted comments to the College of Physiotherapists of Ontario on the most recently proposed standards:
OPA provided suggested ways to enhance clarity and comprehensiveness in each of the standards. There is also an opportunity in the Documentation Standard to include how the use of AI may impact record keeping, and any important considerations.
August 13, 2024
OPA submitted comments to the College of Physiotherapists of Ontario on the open consultation on four Standards:
This is the third set of consultations in the CPO’s process of adapting the revised Core Standards of Practice for Canadian Physiotherapists, developed in 2023 by the Canadian Alliance of Physiotherapy Regulators.
June 4, 2024
OPA provided feedback to the Ontario Health’s draft recommendation on Pelvic Floor Muscle Training for Stress Urinary Incontinence, Fecal Incontinence, and Pelvic Organ Prolapse.
OPA supports the recommendation for publicly funding pelvic floor muscle training for stress urinary incontinence and pelvic organ prolapse. We commend Ontario Health for recognizing the evidence for this intervention, and how public access will help ensure that Ontarians have the rehabilitative care needed to improve their function, health, and quality of life.
In this submission, OPA highlights the following areas with further comments:
OPA is committed to supporting any outcomes from this recommendation through consultation with experts in pelvic health, research and system planning.
May 28, 2024
OPA submitted comments to the College of Physiotherapists of Ontario on the open consultation on two standards:
This is the second set of consultations in the CPO’s process of adapting the revised Core Standards of Practice for Canadian Physiotherapists, developed in 2023 by the Canadian Alliance of Physiotherapy Regulators.
May 28, 2024
During National Physiotherapy Month in May, OPA joined CPA and physiotherapists to meet with federal MPs from Ontario ridings. These meetings have highlighted the benefits of full implementation of physiotherapy scope of practice, and how enabling physiotherapists to order diagnostic imaging and lab tests will improve care for the people of Ontario while reducing costs.
Some of the meetings to date:
OPA President, Courtney Bean, and OPA CEO, Sarah Hutchison, have followed up with Ontario’s Minister of Health, Sylvia Jones, and requested a meeting with her and the Deputy Minister, to discuss the outstanding regulations needed.
May 15, 2024
Building on the shared work with the Ontario Orthopaedic Association (OOA) of meeting with MPPs in March, OPA and OOA collaborated on a call to include frontline health care expertise in the planning of the proposed Community Surgical and Diagnostic Centres. As hip and knee joint replacement surgeries are slated to take place at these Centres, the expertise of physiotherapists and orthopaedic surgeons is essential to ensure the provision of clinically effective care with assured access to rehabilitation.
Read the joint letter submitted to the Minister of Health, the Honourable Sylvia Jones, and the President & CEO of Ontario Health, Matthew Anderson.
April 30, 2024
On Tuesday, April 23, 2024, OPA had the privilege of meeting virtually with MPP France Gélinas, PT, to discuss a letter OPA sent a few days prior to the Minister of Health, Sylvia Jones. Many thanks to Ms. Gélinas, who delivered the letter to Minister Jones that day, for her support for physiotherapists and her work to improve healthcare for Ontarians.
The letter calls for action by the provincial government to fully implement the scope of practice of physiotherapists already passed in legislation in Bill 179. The regulation changes needed for physiotherapists to order diagnostic imaging and lab tests have been outstanding for too long. With scope of practice as the focus for National Physiotherapy Month, it is a timely reminder of how full scope implementation will improve access to health care, cost-effectiveness, and health outcomes for the people of Ontario.
March 28, 2024
OPA has been keeping members updated on our work over the last two years to resolve issues facing clinics participating, through a Transfer Payment Agreement (TPA) with the Ministry of Health (MoH), in the Community Physiotherapy Clinic (CPC) program.
On March 26, 2024, TPA holders received an update from the Ministry of Health on the changes being made to the Community Physiotherapy Clinic Program and OPA is pleased to see many of the recommendations we made have been accepted.
In particular the following changes positively impact clinics’ costs and provide some flexibility to respond to changes in EOC allocations between contract periods:
We are pleased to see an increase in the EOC fee, although it does fall significantly short of matching the inflationary costs affecting the program since its inception in 2013. The changes above will have a positive impact of reducing some of the costs, however, and should be factored in by TPA holders making decisions going forward.
It should be noted that an additional change will impact the eligibility requirements for the program through the removal of the need for an overnight stay at the hospital for those who need physiotherapy after a procedure/surgery.
OPA engaged very intensively and continuously with the Ministry to make the case for these needed changes. We will continue to be fully engaged in revising the Program’s Policies and Procedures, based on these changes. We will also push to initiate a more comprehensive and thorough review of the CPC program, including fees, so that it can be completed well in advance of the expiration of the next TPAs on March 31, 2026. With changes in eligibility criteria, a review is essential to evaluate the demand on the program and other impacts to resources.
Thank you to the members of the CPC working group whose insights, experience and dedication grounded this advocacy work and enabled the Ministry to hear directly from physiotherapists.
If you have additional questions, please contact Amy Hondronicols.
March 27, 2024
The College of Physiotherapists of Ontario (CPO) recently closed their 60-day consultation period for their proposed Code of Ethical Conduct and Standards Review. OPA submitted a response for each consultation, and the recommendations are summarized as follows:
In reviewing the Code of Ethical Conduct as proposed, OPA made three high level recommendations:
1) Build on the concept of informed consent;
2) Recognize the role of substitute decision makers in patient care;
3) Build on our ethical responsibility and role to address instances of discrimination, racism, and prejudice in healthcare.
OPA recommended that the College establish a Standard of Ethical Conduct to demonstrate a strong commitment to anti-racism and cultural safety, and create a strong structure that the public, physiotherapists, and policy makers can depend on to provide safe, equitable and high-quality health care services.
In reviewing the Standards consultation, OPA has recommended minor changes, without any significant needs for amendment to the proposed standards: Assessment, Diagnosis, Treatment, Communication, and Risk Management and Safety.
OPA provided substantial recommendations for amendment to the Duty of Care Standard, which includes clarification of definitions and language that is in alignment with provincial regulations, specifically the Ontario Code of Misconduct (O. Reg 388/08) as it pertains to the discontinuation of care in both the presence and absence of continuing need.
March 26, 2024
OPA was invited to attend a webinar by the Ministry of Health to provide feedback on the process for developing new service provider organization contracts. The Home and Community Care Branch asked for input specifically related to the patient and family experience of care, staffing and workforce issues and service performance. Discussion included how there needs to be more transparency on how contracts work and how funds are distributed, more information on who works in the home care sector, reduced disparity in wages across professions and methods to increase hiring and retention.
OPA’s submission identified eight recommendations for service provider contracts based on the themes of enhancing equity and fairness across professions and contracts, working to full scope of practice, and increasing and ensuring access to home care for everyone.