What's New

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In each of the 5 years since the Medical Act, 2005 came into force, the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Newfoundland and Labrador has experienced substantial growth and change.

The last year was no exception. Matters on the agenda of the College included:

• The federal/provincial/territorial Agreement on Internal Trade (the “AIT”) which came into effect on April 1, 2009 and which has the potential for a significant impact on physician licensure and mobility;
• The provincial Labour Mobility Implementation Act, an Act to facilitate implementation of the AIT, which was assented to in December 2009 and which will come into force on June 30, 2010;
• The reaction of the Federation of Medical Regulatory Authorities of Canada (the “FMRAC”) and the provincial Medical Regulatory Authorities to the effects of the AIT which gave rise to the development of the Canadian standard for full licensure, and to continued efforts to develop national standards for provisional licensure of family physicians and specialists;
• An initiative to develop an electronic National Physician Registration Process for Canada;
• Consultation with the Department of Health and Community Services regarding amendments to the Medical Act, 2005 and the Medical Board Regulations and in particular amendments to legislation concerning the licensure of physicians; and the introduction of legislation regarding quality assurance;
• The introduction of a comprehensive orientation guideline for physicians being licensed in the province for the first time. This program will also serve as a guideline for medical practice in the province;
• Finalization of the licensure process for physicians from outside the province providing telemedicine/teleconsultations;
• Membership on the FMRAC Risk Management Committee which will ultimately lead to an accreditation process for medical regulatory authorities;
• Participation as a member of the National Opioid Use Guideline Group in the development of the Canadian Guideline for Safe and Effective Use of Opioids for Chronic Non-Cancer Pain;
• Medication management by pharmacists and an amendment to the Pharmacy Board regulations;
• The Provider Registry/Pharmacy Network of the Newfoundland and Labrador Centre for Health Information.

For more information, read the complete CPSNL Annual Report for 2010: http://www.cpsnl.ca/userfiles/file/Annual%20Report%202010.pdf.