About HSCPOA Advisory Committees
The work to establish the Health and Supportive Care Oversight Authority (HSCPOA) as a functioning organization is progressing. In the short term, the Interim Board is focused on overseeing the set up of regulatory and administrative operations so that it can work with the Ministry and PSW community (including patient groups, employers, educators, PSWs and their associations) to establish the rules needed to provide oversight to PSWs.
Consultations will ensure that stakeholders’ views have been heard, in terms of the impact of regulation on the PSW workforce and on quality care for their clients. Accordingly, HSCPOA will be consulting stakeholders on the development of regulations, policies and by-laws related to registration requirements and complaints, dispute resolution and investigation processes.
Once regulations are approved by the government, an Advisory Committee comprised of relevant stakeholders including patients/caregivers, PSWs, educators, employers and advocacy associations, will be established to provide ongoing input to the Board as regulation evolves. The Advisory Committee will not undertake any regulatory functions directly (e.g. registration, complaints intake, etc.), but will provide information and advice to the Board on matters such as PSW education, professional practice, trends and issues, and the practice settings in which PSWs work.
While associations play an important role in advocating for professionals, HSCPOA’s role is solely to protect the public interest. HSCPOA will undertake its responsibilities without conflict of interest, as an independent regulatory body not affiliated with any associations or other interest group.