College's Priority is Protecting Patients

TORONTO, Dec. 16, 2014 /CNW/ - The College of Physicians and Surgeons of Ontario supports today's announcement by the Minister of Health and Long-Term Care to conduct a review of the Regulated Health Professions Act, which governs all regulated health professions in the province, to ensure it is effective in preventing and dealing with the sexual abuse of patients by health professionals.

At its December meeting, the CPSO's Council unanimously voted to review the sexual abuse provisions in our governing legislation and examine our own processes to determine whether changes need to be made to better support and protect patients.

"We take sexual abuse by physicians very seriously. We want to ensure that we are able to empower patients to come forward, and protect and support them when they do," said Dr. Carol Leet, College President.

The College's plan includes a review of the provisions of the Regulated Health Professions Act and the Health Professions Procedural Code to identify whether any changes are needed. Council will consider, for example:

• Whether steps should be taken to increase penalties for those acts of sexual abuse that do not require revocation.
  
  
• Whether restrictions that prevent or limit a physician from treating patients of a particular gender need to be re-evaluated.

The College will also examine its own processes to ensure best practices in sexual abuse investigations and prosecutions.

The results of this initiative will also support, inform and assist in the College's response to the Minister of Health's review of the sexual abuse provisions of the Regulated Health Professions Act.

Further information about the College's sexual abuse initiative can be found here.

SOURCE: College of Physicians and Surgeons of Ontario

Media Inquiries: Kathryn Clarke, P: 416-967-2600, extension 378; Jill Hefley, P: 416-967-2600, extension 445