British Columbia's seven medical colleges have been consolidated as part of what the province says is greater oversight. Effective Friday (June 28),
British Columbia's 11 health colleges have been consolidated as part of a move the province says will provide greater oversight.
Effective Friday (June 28), the schools of nutritionists, occupational therapists, physiotherapists, opticians, optometrists, psychologists and speech-language-hearing pathologists have been consolidated into the new BC College of Health and Nursing Professions. The new BC College of Complementary Health Professions will regulate chiropractors, massage therapists, naturopaths, herbalists and acupuncturists.
Health Minister Adrian Dix said the consolidation of health schools was part of the provincial government's regulatory framework modernisation plan, which began in 2018.
He said the legislation would “ensure more consistent and robust regulation of health care workers, which is good news for patients and those who provide services.”
The two new colleges are the final merger following the Health Professions and Occupations Act receiving Royal Assent on 24 November 2022 and the appointment of Shelley Young as the new leader of the Health Professions and Occupations Authority on 7 June.
This follows several other mergers since 2018.
BC's three nursing colleges were combined into one in September 2018. In August 2020, the College of Physicians and Surgeons combined with the College of Podiatric Medicine. In September 2020, the College of Nursing combined with the College of Midwifery. BC's four oral health colleges will combine into one college for dentists, dental technicians, dental assistants, therapists, hygienists and technicians in September 2022.
