Council Highlights

Please click on a meeting date to view a summary of key decisions taken by Council at the meeting. To view past Council Highlights, click here.

2011:

December 6, 2011

1. Call to Order

a. Approval of the agenda

2. Declaration of Conflict of Interest

3. Approval of Council Minutes

4. Financial

5. Operations

6. Major Policy

7. Secondary Policy

8. New Business

9. Information

10. Council Members’ Concerns

11. Meeting Dates for Council

12. Termination of Meeting

October 4, 2011

Council Highlights

Below is a summary of key decisions taken by Council at its meeting held on October 4, 2011.

(Note . . . by-laws which have not been approved are not summarized in these highlights until they have been approved by Council.)

Reports from Statutory Committees Received by Council

Council received reports from the Executive Committee, the Inquiries, Complaints and Reports Committee, the Quality Assurance Committee and the Registration Committee.

Update on Strategy Map 2011

College Registrar Linda Gough presented an update on the College’s goals set out in the strategy map previously approved by Council. The College is on-track with strategic initiatives for 2011.

Strategy Map for 2012

Council directed the Registrar to proceed to plan the budget for 2012 based on the proposed strategy plan for 2012 as presented to Council.

Financial Statements

Council received the financial reports for the month ended August 31, 2011.

Standards of Practice

L. Gough reviewed with Council responses from members regarding the new Standards of Practice and provided an update on the workshops that were conducted in 10 cities in Ontario. Over 450 College members attended these workshops. The Registrar indicated that the presentation would also be available on the College website. L. Gough also reviewed the comments received from members and stakeholders pertaining to the Standards of Practice binder. L. Gough distributed copies of the new Standards of Practice Handbook to each Council member

Privacy Code

Council approved the revised CMRTO Privacy Code. The CMRTO Privacy Code is available on the College website at http://www.cmrto.org/privacy.html

Registration Regulation

D. Tarshis, Legal Counsel for the College, reviewed the amendments to the College’s registration regulation that would come into effect on December 1, 2011. Details on the changes are available in Insights Fall 2011.

Canadian Institute for Health Information (CIHI)

J. Zhang from the Canadian Institute for Health Information (CIHI) provided a presentation to Council on the background of CIHI and responded to questions from Council members.

CAMRT Competency Profiles

The College was asked by the CAMRT to provide feedback on the CAMRT Competency Profiles. The Certification Examination Committee of the College carefully reviewed the CAMRT Competency Profiles for radiological technology, nuclear medicine, radiation therapy and magnetic resonance and provided feedback. L. Gough reviewed material and correspondence with the CAMRT regarding the College’s feedback on the competency profiles.

HARP Regulation 173/11 regarding Dental CT

At the June 16 & 17 Council meeting, Council directed staff to communicate with the Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care to pursue the removal of a clause in the amended Regulation 543 that requires an MRT to be supervised by a member of the Royal College of Dental Surgeons of Ontario when the MRT is operating a dental CT scanner.

A copy of the presentation that L. Gough and D. Lewis (Vice-Presidents of the College) delivered on June 27, 2011 to the Assistant Deputy Minister and staff at the Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care was circulated to Council. L. Gough reviewed the correspondence and communications with the Ministry regarding HARP Regulation 173/11. Lengthy discussion took place.

HPRAC Criteria for regulating a New Health Profession

On June 17, the College provided comments to the Health Professions Regulatory Advisory Council (HPRAC) on the proposed revisions to the Criteria for Regulating a New Health Profession under the RHPA. The HPRAC submission analysis which summarized the comments from health regulatory colleges and professional associations was circulated and reviewed by Council.

Referral to HPRAC

The Minister of Health and Long-Term Care had referred two new issues to HPRAC:

Physician Assistants – “whether this profession ought to be regulated, whether independently or in conjunction with an existing profession under the RHPA and if so, what would be the appropriate scope of practice, controlled acts and titles authorized to the profession”. Mandatory Revocation Provisions and Treatment of Spouses by Health Care Professionals – “The issue is whether or not, in your view, alternatives to the mandatory revocation provisions should exist in the Act respecting the treatment of a spouse by a regulated health professional.”

It was noted that the Minister has asked for advice back from HPRAC on the referral regarding physician assistants by August 31, 2012 and on the referral regarding the mandatory revocation provisions by June 1, 2012.

Office of the Fairness Commissioner

L. Gough reviewed with Council the 2010-2011 Annual Report of the Office of the Fairness Commissioner entitled “Licence to Succeed”.

Next Council Meeting

The next Council meeting will take place on Tuesday, December 6, 2011.

June 16-17, 2011

Council Highlights

Below is a summary of key decisions taken by Council at its meeting held on June 16 & 17, 2011. (Note . . . by-laws which have not been approved are not summarized in these highlights until they have been approved by Council).

Amendments to By-law No. 13

Council enacted amendments to By-law No. 13 to facilitate the College’s banking arrangements and to incorporate minor changes to the College’s Code of Ethics for consistency with the new CMRTO Standards of Practice. The amendments to By-law No. 13 related to the College’s Code of Ethics will come into force on September 1, 2011.

Council Elections and Appointments

Council received the results of the recent elections in District # 3 (Central District, Radiography), and District # 6 (Nuclear Medicine). Claudina Di Zio Longo, M.R.T.(R.) was re-elected in District # 3 and Robert Kamen, M.R.T.(N.) was elected in District # 6.

Council re-elected David Price as president and elected Donna Lewis as vice president. The Nominating Committee presented recommendations for membership on the College’s statutory and non-statutory committees. Council appointed members to the statutory committees and non-statutory committees for a one-year term. (Information about the membership of the statutory committees can be found elsewhere on the College’s website).

2012 Council Election Date

The date for the next election of members to the Council for electoral districts #2 (Eastern District, Radiography) and district #5 (Radiation Therapy) was set as Tuesday, April 10, 2012.

Reports from Statutory Committees Received by Council

Council received reports from the Executive Committee, the Inquiries, Complaints and Reports Committee, the Quality Assurance Committee, and the Registration Committee.

Registrar’s Report

College Registrar Linda Gough presented an update on the College’s activities to implement the goals set out in the strategy map previously approved by Council. The College is on-track with strategic initiatives for 2011.

Standards of Practice

L. Gough and S. Saberton (consultant for the Standards of Practice project) presented Draft 5 of the CMRTO’s Standards of Practice. Council members provided comments and approved minor amendments to Draft 5. Council then approved the CMRTO Standards of Practice, effective September 1, 2011.

Effective September 1, 2011, the Standards of Practice replace the Essential Competencies and Comprehensive Guidelines for Acting in Accordance with the Regulated Health Professions Act Scope of Practice/Controlled Acts Model.

Healing Arts Radiation Protection Act (HARP Act)

Council reviewed Ontario Regulation 173/11, made under the HARP Act that was filed May 20, 2011. This regulation amends Regulation 543 made under the HARP Act. The amendments to the HARP Act include defining CT scanners and dental CT scanners as classes of x-ray machine and setting out the health professions who are authorized to order CT and dental CT scans and operate CT and dental CT scanners (provided certain conditions are met).

After lengthy discussion, Council directed staff to communicate with the Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care to pursue the removal of a clause in the amended Regulation 543 that requires an MRT to be supervised by a member of the Royal College of Dental Surgeons of Ontario when the MRT is operating a dental CT scanner.

Health Professions Regulatory Advisory Committee (HPRAC) Consultation

HPRAC requested the College to provide comments on proposed revisions to the criteria for regulating new professions under the Regulated Health Professions Act (RHPA). Council approved a draft letter to HPRAC which comments on the proposed revisions. The primary criterion in the consultation document for determining if a health profession should become regulated under the RHPA is whether the profession seeking regulation poses a risk of harm to the health and safety of the public. The College agrees with this principle being the threshold, however, the College has indicated in its response that it is important that the means of assessing potential risk of harm be clearly laid out and closely aligned to the objective of protecting the public. The College noted that it also agrees that there be secondary criteria that consider the readiness of a profession to be regulated including leadership able to favour the public interest and membership support for self-regulation.

The College of Physicians and Surgeons of Ontario (CPSO) Independent Health Facilities (IHF) Guidelines for Nuclear Medicine

The College received a request from CPSO to provide comments as part of CPSO’s External Review of IHF Clinical Practice Parameters & Facility Standards for Nuclear Medicine – Fourth Edition, April 2011. The College, after consulting with MRT subject matter experts in the specialty of nuclear medicine, provided a letter to CPSO noting that in general the guidelines provide a comprehensive framework for the safe practice of nuclear medicine in Ontario’s independent health facilities. In the letter the College provided some general comments and specific suggestions for amendments in sections related to the practice of MRTs in the specialty of nuclear medicine in Independent Health Facilities in Ontario.

Educational Presentation for Council

College staff and legal counsel gave a presentation entitled “A case study – the Life of a Member of the CMRTO.In this presentation, a fictitious College member interacts with the College in the following ways:

· registering with the College

· participating in the quality assurance multi-source feedback program

· being the subject of a complaint and an investigation of a complaint

· being the subject of allegations of professional misconduct that are referred to the Discipline Committee of the College

The purpose of the presentation was to illustrate to Council the different College processes a member might encounter during their professional career and membership in the College.

The following material was circulated to Council as information items

· E-mail to L. Gough from Dr. P Warde, N. Harnett and E. Gutierrez dated April 20, 2011 respecting ‘Clinical Specialist Radiation Therapist Sustainability Project Announcement’

· Federation of Health Regulatory Colleges of Ontario (FHRCO) Press Release dated April 26, 2011 regarding the election of its officers. College Registrar, Linda Gough, has been elected as Vice -President of FHRCO

· MOHLTC news release entitled “Breast Cancer Screening” printed May 11, 2011

· Canadian Institute for Health Information Medical Radiation Technologist Database, 2009 Data Release

Next Council Meeting

The next Council meeting will take place on Tuesday, October 4, 2011.

March 31, 2011

Council Highlights

A summary of key decisions taken by Council at each of its meetings. The highlights here capture some of the main elements of the Council meeting held on March 31, 2011.

(Note . . . by-laws which have not been approved are not summarized in these highlights until they have been approved by Council.)

Financial Statements and Appointment of Auditors

Council received the auditors’ report and reviewed and approved the financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2010. The accounting firm of KPMG LLP was appointed auditors of the College until the next annual meeting of the Council.

Reports from Statutory Committees Received by Council

Council received reports from the Executive Committee, Inquiries, Complaints and Reports Committee, Patient Relations Committee, Quality Assurance Committee and the Registration Committee on their activities.

Update on Strategy Map December 2011

College Registrar Linda Gough presented an update on the College’s goals set out in the strategy map previously approved by Council. The College is on-track with strategic initiatives for 2011.

Amendment to the Medical Radiation Technology Act, 1991

The amendments to the Medical Radiation Technology Act, 1991 (MRT Act) which include an amended scope of practice and additional authorized acts for MRTs will come into force on September 1, 2011.

CMRTO Standards of Practice Project

On Council’s direction, the College has undertaken a project to revise the current College Standards of Practice in preparation for the amendments to the MRT Act (effective September 1, 2011). The project included extensive consultation with members and stakeholders through working groups, consultation with MRT subject matter experts and an online survey completed by many College members. Draft three of the Standards of Practice Handbook was circulated to Council for review and feedback. The final draft of the Standards of Practice Handbook, which takes into consideration the extensive consultation with members and stakeholders, will be presented at the June 16-17, 2011 Council meeting for Council’s review and consideration for approval.

Office of the Fairness Commissioner

Council considered a number of reports submitted by the College in 2011 and correspondence with the Office of the Fairness Commissioner (OFC). The College completed a number of activities required by the OFC.

Linda Gough, Registrar, also reviewed with Council material from a briefing and feedback session she attended where the OFC Draft Strategy for Continuous Improvement of Registration Practices was presented. The College supports the OFC’s mandate which includes the assessment of registration practices of regulatory colleges based on their obligations under the applicable legislation and has been engaging in a collaborative effort with the OFC. However, in response to the OFC’s draft strategy, the College has provided written comments expressing concerns about elements of the strategy that the College believes are not consistent with the OFC’s legislative authority. The College will continue to work collaboratively with the OFC to provide registration practices that are transparent, objective, impartial and fair.

A summary of the Audit Report 2009 on the College’s registration practices has been posted on the College’s website in the “What’s New” section. The Fair Registration Practices Reports for 2009 and 2010 are also available on the College website.

CMRTO Quality Assurance Program

Donna Lewis, Chair of the Quality Assurance Committee, and Lori Boyd, Director of Policy, gave a presentation on the CMRTO QA program which now includes practice assessment by an assessor (Individual Practice Assessment). Information on the Individual Practice Assessment has been reported in Insights and can be found in the quality assurance section of the College website and in online member services under the Q.A. tab.

CMRTO Patient Relations Program

Tina Langlois, Director of Professional Conduct, gave a presentation on the Sexual Abuse Prevention Plan. Under the Regulated Health Professions Act, the patient relations program must include measures for preventing and dealing with sexual abuse of patients. CMRTO’s measures include:

• educational requirements for members

• guidelines for the conduct of members with their patients

• training for the College’s staff

• provision of information to the public

Changes to Healing Arts Radiation Protection Legislation

On March 15, 2011 the Ontario Government announced that it is eliminating 14 government agencies including the HARP Commission. The College has been advised that the role of the HARP Commission will be assumed by the Performance Improvement and Compliance Branch of the Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care (MOHLTC). Council discussed the impact of the elimination of the HARP Commission on the College and members. The College will be closely following how the MOHLTC will now structure and govern the HARP advisory functions.

The Registrar also reviewed with Council a letter that was sent to the MOHLTC on March 16, 2011 regarding proposed regulatory changes to Regulation 543 made under the HARP Act. In that letter the College expressed concern that in the summary of the proposed amendments to the regulation, MRTs are not listed as one of the health professions authorized to operate dental CT scanners. The College recommended to the MOHLTC that MRTs be included as a health profession authorized to operate dental CT scanners for the following reason:

“Medical radiation technologists have the knowledge, skill and judgement to competently and safely operate all types of CT scanners, including dental CT scanners. MRTs are health care professionals who employ ionizing radiation to create images that are part of diagnostic imaging examinations of the entire body.”

The entire letter to the MOHLTC can be found in the What’s New section of the College website.

Next Council Meeting

The next Council meeting will take place on Thursday and Friday, June 16 & 17, 2011.

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