Dialogue Volume 11 Issue 1 2015 | Page 25

HQO review CPSO proposes single regulatory framework for out-of-hospital facilities photo: istockphoto.com T he College made a submission to Health Quality Ontario that describes our experience regulating out-of-hospital facilities and puts forward a proposal for a single regulatory framework for oversight of these facilities. Late last year, the Minister of Health and Long-Term Care asked Health Quality Ontario (HQO) to provide advice to government on the comprehensiveness and effectiveness of the current quality oversight programs for out-of-hospital facilities, in particular Independent Health Facilities (IHFs) and Out-of-Hospital Premises (OHPs). The College’s submission is intended to support HQO with its review of facilities regulation. HQO is the province’s advisor on health quality and was created under the Commitment to the Future of Medicare Act. The submission provides HQO with an overview of the regulatory systems currently in place for out-of-hospital facilities, and the College’s involvement in these systems. The College’s involvement in the regulation of such facilities began in the early 1990s, when it began developing the standards and tools for assessments and conducting assessments of IHFs. The Ministry is responsible for identifying those IHFs that are to be assessed, for decision-making regarding facility outcomes and enforcement, and for maintaining a public register of facilities. More than 900 IHFs are currently delivering services in Ontario. Issue 1, 2015 Dialogue Issue1_15.indd 25 25 2015-03-19 11:18 AM