- What Does Self- Regulation Mean?
Those who seek the services of health professionals rely upon those who provide health-care services. The public needs to be confident that health professionals have the necessary knowledge, skills and judgement to provide care.
Governments have the responsibility to protect the public by providing options for the regulation of health professions. Generally, governments use a model known as self-regulation. Self-regulation enables the members of a health profession to become actively involved in regulating the profession.
The self-regulation of health professions is undertaken pursuant to governing legislation. The legislation sets out consistent rules and processes for governance, registration, complaints, discipline, and regulation and by-law making authority. Under the legislation, health profession regulatory colleges have the mandate and authority to govern their members in a manner that enhances protection of the public and holds the profession accountable. Self-regulation is considered to be a privilege provided by government and is one that is taken with the utmost regard by the individual health professionals. If at any time, government feels that the regulatory body is not meeting its mandate, the ability to self-regulate can be suspended or revoked.
The overall goal of the College of Paramedics of Manitoba will be to Demonstrate our Value to the Public.
- What Legislation will be governing and what are the regulations?
The College will be governed by The Regulated Health Professions Act (RHPA), http://web2.gov.mb.ca/laws/statutes/ccsm/r117e.php . The RHPA is umbrella legislation, which will govern all regulated health professions in Manitoba over time.
The proposed College of Paramedics of Manitoba General Regulation (the “General Regulation”) will be enacted by the governing Council of the College of Paramedics of Manitoba under the RHPA. The regulation sets out the membership classes of the college and the registration requirements for each class. It also sets out requirements for issuing and renewing certificates of practice, standards of practice for the profession, continuing competency requirements, requirements for professional incorporation by members of the profession and the terms and conditions on the performance of reserved acts authorized for the profession under the Practice of Paramedicine Regulation as well as the requirements respecting delegation of the performance of reserved acts to and by paramedics.
The public consultations on the General Regulation are being carried out at the same time as the government conducts public consultations on proposed amendments to the Practice of Paramedicine Regulation. This includes amendments to facilitate the transition of paramedics and Emergency Medical Responders from regulation by Manitoba Health, Seniors and Active Living under The Emergency Medical Response and Stretcher Transportation Act to regulation by the college.
- What are the Reserved Acts?
The RHPA sets out a new way of regulating who does what in the provision of health services. This is based on the concept of controlling specific health care services or procedures. These health care services or procedures, known as “reserved acts”, are performed in the course of providing health care by competent health professionals.
There are 21 categories of reserved acts, including such activities as performing a procedure on tissue, administering a drug or vaccine, among others.
The proposed amendments to the Practice of Paramedicine Regulation will set out the reserved acts Paramedics can perform. Part 4 of the General Regulation will set out the limits and conditions on the performance of these acts, including which classes of paramedics may perform the reserved acts and whether additional training is required for the performance of a reserved act.
- What happens after the consultation?
Once the 60-day public consultation has concluded, all comments received will be reviewed to determine if any changes should be made to the General Regulation before the regulation is enacted by the Council of the College. The General Regulation must also be approved by the government.
- When will the College become operational?
The anticipated date that the college will become operational and assume responsibility to regulate the profession is the fall of 2020.
- When will registrations begin?
After the College of Paramedics of Manitoba General Regulation has been enacted and the proposed amendments to the Practice of Paramedicine Regulation have been approved, the College can begin to register paramedics and issue Certificates of Practice. During this time, there will be clear directions emailed to all paramedics, who are currently licensed by Manitoba Health, Seniors and Active Living under The Emergency Medical Response and Stretcher Transportation Act. Directions will also be posted on the college website. Registration fees will be prorated to March 31, 2021. Registration fees have been approved by Council and will be included in registration materials provided.
- Who will be required to register with the College?
Anyone who is employed or working as a paramedic in the Province of Manitoba will need to register with the college and obtain a Certificate of Practice. This includes Emergency Medical Responders (EMR) who are working in that capacity with a fire department or EMS service and anyone who is holding themselves out to be a “paramedic”. This includes anyone providing care at the EMR or paramedic level anywhere in the province of Manitoba.
This does not include those who provide only first aid services and is not holding themselves out to be a “paramedic”.
- What will the annual fee be, and do paramedics require liability insurance?
The annual fee will be made public in June 2020. Criteria used to determine the annual fee was based on budgetary requirements to operate the college, a scan of the fees of other Canadian paramedic regulators, and the fees of other health profession regulatory colleges in Manitoba.
Individual paramedics will be required to obtain their own professional liability insurance with the minimum amount being $5 million per occurrence. Proof of this insurance will be required to complete initial registration with the College and on annual renewal.