Friday, December 20, 2013

REGULATED HEALTH PROFESSIONS ACT PROCLAIMED

REGULATED HEALTH PROFESSIONS ACT
PROCLAIMED
- - -
New Legislation to Focus on Accountability, Patient Safety:  Minister Selby

Legislation focusing on accountability, patient safety and ensuring all health professions in Manitoba are governed by consistent, uniform regulations will be proclaimed into force on Jan. 1, Health Minister Erin Selby said today.

"The modern Regulated Health Professions Act will change the way health professions are regulated in Manitoba to ensure consistency and a focus on patient safety," said Minister Selby.  "Audiology and speech-language pathology will be the first two regulated health professions transitioning to regulation under the legislation with more to follow." 

Currently, there are 21 statutes dealing with 22 different health professions.  The Regulated Health Professions Act will replace these statutes, bringing all regulated health professions under one act. 

The minister said the act will:
     
* further strengthen patient safety by ensuring all regulatory bodies establish standards of practice, codes of ethics and continuing competency requirements;

* improve patient safety by regulating the performance of activities specified in the act, called reserved acts, including diagnosis, prescribing drugs, cutting into tissue and applying a form of energy for diagnosis, for example, X-rays and CT scans;

* create consistent and fair complaint and disciplinary processes across all professional colleges;

* increase public representation on the boards of self-governing professions;

* provide improved accountability between the regulatory bodies and government; and

* allow health professions to continue to be self-regulating.

The new audiology and speech-language pathology regulations define the scope of practice of these professions including the reserved acts they may perform and provide a transition of the current Manitoba Speech and Hearing Association to become the College of Audiologists and Speech-Language Pathologists of Manitoba.

"The professions of audiology and speech-language pathology are pleased to have the opportunity to modernize the governing legislation under the new act to improve accountability and enhance the  ability to protect the public interest," said Laura Lenton, president of the Manitoba Speech and Hearing Association.  "It is a privilege to be self-regulating and an honour to lead the movement of change for self-regulating health professions in Manitoba."

The new College of Audiologists and Speech-Language Pathologists of Manitoba will be responsible for administering all regulated programs including revised and modernized requirements for registration, continuing competency and advanced competency certification.  It will include public representatives to ensure transparent and accountable decision-making.  Members of the professions will be provided clearly-defined standards to which they must adhere in order to ensure the public receives consistent, high-quality care.

Extensive consultations were undertaken to help develop the regulations including public and professional consultations, the minister said.

As audiology and speech-language pathology will now be regulated under the new legislation, the Manitoba Speech and Hearing Association Act will be repealed. 


The minister noted the province is continuing to work with other regulatory bodies, including the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Manitoba and the College of Registered Nurses of Manitoba, to develop the necessary legislation to transition to regulation under the Regulated Health Professions Act.



The University of Manitoba’s School of Medical Rehabilitation would like to invite all prospective students, future health professionals and anyone who would like to learn more about Occupational Therapy, Physical Therapy, and Respiratory Therapy to our annual

OPEN HOUSE

Date:

Sunday, January 19, 2014
Time:
12:30 pm - 3:00 pm
Place:
The School of Medical Rehabilitation
University of Manitoba (Bannatyne Campus)
Brodie Centre
727 McDermot Avenue
Winnipeg, MB

Learn about Occupational Therapy, Physical Therapy, and Respiratory Therapy through displays and tours! Current students and faculty will be available to answer your questions.


To view the poster online, or for more information, please visit: 

The Province of Manitoba is distributing this release on behalf of the Government of Manitoba, CancerCare Manitoba and Prairie Mountain Health.

The Province of Manitoba is distributing this release on behalf of the Government of Manitoba, CancerCare Manitoba and Prairie Mountain Health.


News Release

December 16, 2013

CANCER HUBS BRING EXPANDED SERVICES
TO WESTERN MANITOBA
- - -
Sites to Offer Enhanced Cancer Services, Treatment, Information Options:  Minister Selby

DAUPHIN-Cancer patients can now access enhanced treatment and information at seven cancer hubs, as Manitoba's IN SIXTY cancer patient journey initiative continues to improve services, Health Minister Erin Selby said here today.

"Cancer is a scary journey for patients, but by reducing wait times and ensuring timely treatment and access to care, we can help make that journey a little easier," said Minister Selby.  "Cancer hubs are made up of networks of care providers who work together to make sure patients get the care they need, when they need it, closer to home."

The expanded services now include three full-time nurse navigators, two psychosocial oncology clinicians, two part-time family physicians focused on oncology, two part-time medical leads, a full-time clerk and part-time community liaison, with an approximate $700,000 annual investment in front-line staff for the Prairie Mountain Health region.  All front-line staff have received training from CancerCare Manitoba and will support patients at critical transition points, resulting in reduced delays and less stress and worry for patients, the minister said.

The experts who staff cancer hubs will work with local health-care providers and patient navigators to co-ordinate quick diagnosis, treatment and followup for patients.  The hubs will better co-ordinate care and offer some services close to home, reducing costs for patients who might have otherwise had to travel to Winnipeg to receive diagnosis or treatment.

The regional cancer hub in Brandon will co-ordinate work at the community cancer program hubs in Deloraine, Hamiota and Neepawa, while the regional cancer hub in Dauphin will co-ordinate work at the community cancer program hubs in Russell and Swan River.

"Patients and families have enough to go through following a cancer diagnosis," said Penny Gilson, chief executive officer of Prairie Mountain Health.  "No matter where one is in their cancer care journey, our goal is to ensure you know what's happening now, what's happening next and what your treatment options and outcomes might be."

The minister noted the introduction of cancer hubs is part of the $40-million IN SIXTY initiative, announced by the Manitoba government in 2011 to improve the cancer patient journey.  It is a partnership including the Manitoba government, CancerCare Manitoba, Diagnostic Services of Manitoba, regional health authorities, physicians, nurses, nurse practitioners, social workers and other health-care providers.  These cancer hubs enhance Manitoba's strong record of being world leaders in the support of cancer patients and fight against the disease, citing Manitoba as one of the first provinces to cover the full cost cancer drugs for all patients, said the minister.


For more information on Manitoba's Cancer Strategy, visit: www.gov.mb.ca/health/documents/mbcancer_strategy.pdf