The Steering Committee on Modernization of Health Profession Regulations, established by the Minster of Health, has issued a consultation paper that sets out proposed changes for the regulation of health professions: Click here for the Steering Committee’s consultation paper. The Steering Committee has made several recommendations which will have significant implications for the regulation of our profession, including the reduction in the number of health profession colleges from 20 to 5. Under the proposed recommendations, smaller colleges, including the College of Optometrist of British Columbia, will be combined into a new College of Health and Care Professions of B.C., with subcommittees to address matters requiring profession-specific clinical expertise. The Steering Committee has also proposed the establishment of a new independent body which will have regulatory oversight over colleges. The proposed changes will dramatically change the model of self-regulation of optometry, which has been in place for nearly 100 years in this province.

The Steering Committee has invited feedback on the proposed changes from stakeholders and the public. Feedback will be accepted until January 10, 2020, and the public consultation page may be found here. The College will be submitting a response to the consultation paper, which addresses its concerns regarding public protection under the proposed framework.

We will continue to provide you with updates.