One of my main goals when I stepped into the registrar and CEO role a year ago was to build on the positive work CPSBC was already doing on several key fronts, which I touch on below. I’m also happy to share that the Board recently endorsed a new strategic plan that will guide our business planning over the next four years. The development of the plan was supported by KPMG and included input from staff, Board members and key external health partners.
An organizational priority that remains a cornerstone of our new strategic plan is decolonizing our regulatory processes and creating safer spaces for Indigenous people. Over the last year, we started implementing the recommendations from the critical review of our complaints process. CPSBC is taking tangible steps to make the complaints process more accessible and culturally safe for Indigenous people, and we will hold ourselves accountable by publishing a regular progress report on our website.
A recent evaluation of registrants’ awareness of the Indigenous Cultural Safety, Cultural Humility and Anti-racism practice standard showed us that more needs to be done to support registrants on their cultural safety and humility learning journey. To address the gaps, additional resources will be developed to ensure registrants are aware of their responsibility to comply with the standard. A few months ago we published a two-part episode of our podcast, , about addressing systemic barriers and Indigenous allyship.
We will also continue to increase Indigenous representation on our Board and committees and build collaborative relationships with Indigenous communities across the province.
Another priority for 2025 is working with the Ministry of Health, other health regulators and key partners to transition to the Health Professions and Occupations Act (HPOA). While an in-force date for the HPOA has yet to be confirmed, a project steering committee comprised of the registrars from all health regulatory colleges has been leading the transition, including the development of model bylaws. We anticipate circulating the bylaws for input early in the new year.
I will provide more details about the transition to the HPOA once we have firm timelines in place. Meanwhile, please review these frequently asked questions and email us at communications@cpsbc.ca if more arise.
Looking ahead to the next four years, the 2024-2028 strategic plan will direct our organizational priorities in a shifting social and regulatory landscape.
The wheel below illustrates how our values, the four overarching themes in the new strategic plan and our core regulatory functions work interdependently to support our primary purpose of serving the public. You can learn more about the strategic plan and how it will guide us on our website.
There is much to be done in the year ahead as we continue our cultural safety and humility journey, implement the HPOA and put our 2024-2028 strategic plan into action.
In closing, I offer my deep appreciation to those who have supported me this past year in my transition. It has certainly been an exciting journey so far. I look forward to the year ahead.
Patrick Rowe, MD, CCFP (EM), FCFP
Registrar and CEO
Comments on this or any other article published in the ºÚÁÏÉç Connector can be submitted to the communications and public affairs department at communications@cpsbc.ca.