Transforming and Supporting Patient Care - Health Professions ...

26Chapter 2 – Excellence in Health Profession Regulation: Raising the Bar in OntarioIt has also been observed that self-regulation as an institution is not theproblem.While there are issues with the current system – including the wayregulatory powers are being used by self-governing professions and, inparticular, with inadequate regard for the pressing need for system levelintegration, cooperation and collaboration – they do not justify a radicaldeparture from the existing system. 16Recent work undertaken by the Organization for Economic Cooperation andDevelopment, 17 the Council for Healthcare Regulatory Excellence (CHRE) inGreat Britain, and the Australian Council for Safety and Quality in HealthCare has also highlighted the need to improve self-regulation in the healthcare system. Initiatives undertaken by these organizations have increasinglytied the need for reforms in the system of self-regulation to the growingpressures to address medical errors, improve patient safety and enhancethe quality of health care.The regulation of health professions has an important contribution tomake to patient safety, to public confidence in the skills and behavior ofthe people who care for them, and to the reputation and standing of thehealth professions. 18The abatement or control of risks to society, a key purpose ofregulation, has emerged as central to health regulation…Where activeregulatory strategies are necessary, they should be designed toestablish conditions that are conducive to, and foster, good governanceat the appropriate level in the system, so that responsibility andaccountability can be maintained. 19The literature refers to Ontario as an example of a jurisdiction that has hadsuccess in preserving self-regulation while establishing a legislativeframework that can be built upon to encourage greater interprofessionalcollaboration. The RHPA is viewed as an important catalyst that has laid thegroundwork for reform in this area.16Lahey, W. and Currie, R.: 201.17See OECD (2007). Background Document: Oversight bodies for Regulatory Reform. Presented byPedro Andres Amo and Delia Rodrigo, Policy Analysts, Regulatory Policy Division, Directorate forPublic Governance and Territorial Development. February 15-16, 2007.www.oecd.org/dataoecd/45/59/38403668.pdf.18CHRE (2008). Performance review of health professions regulators 2007/08: Helping Regulation toImprove: 3. There are five standards which CHRE and the regulators use to assess theirperformance: standards and guidance; registration; fitness to practise; education; and governanceand external relations. The standard related to governance and external relations includesconsideration of how regulators foster a culture of continuous improvement within theirorganizations and, in doing this, how they take account of the views of their stakeholders.19Braithwaite, J., Healy, J., Dwan, K.: V.HPRAC Critical Links January 2009