Current Issues
 COO Response; HPRAC Eye Care Sector Review
Decision Re: Bergez Appeal – Jan 6 2009
Online Public Register – Coming Soon
Draft – Proposed College of Opticians Registration Regulation –
Comments required by September 1, 2009
Proposed Amendments to Quality Assurance Regulation - Feedback Required By March 30, 2009
Warning: Fashion / Halloween Cosmetic Contact Lenses
Seneca College Alumni and Employer Survey
Ontario Best Practice Manual : Hand Hygiene
Health Professionals Advisory Committee
The Health System Improvements Act, 2007
COS Evidence-based Clinical Practice Guidelines
Professions Study (Optometrists/Opticians) Submission
Flu Pandemic - MOHLTC
HPRAC
College of Opticians obtains court order against Great Glasses Franchisees
Fair Registration Practices Report 2009
In response to an eye care sector review being conducted by the Health Professions Regulatory Advisory Council (HPRAC), the College of Opticians of Ontario’s report including response to a questionnaire received can be viewed below. The response contributes to practicable, constructive and solution-based approaches towards collaboration among the eye care health professions in the public interest.
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The Court of Appeal dismissed the appeal by Bruce Bergez and the other appellants (Joanne Bergez and their companies) from the Judgment of Justice Fedak. All of the arguments made were dismissed by the Court of Appeal, and the fine of $16 million was upheld.
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Proposed Amendments to Quality Assurance Regulation –
Feedback Required By March 30, 2009 |
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ATTENTION CONSUMERS: Halloween
It's that time of year again... Halloween... and with it comes the temptation to use wild and colourful contact lenses to complete your costume.
Don't let your fun turn into a disaster. Improper wear and care of contact lenses can put your eye health in danger. It is important to use contact lenses under the supervision of an eye care professional.
Click on the links below for useful information:
Press Release – OCC (PDF)
Useful Information – Opticians Council Of Canada Warns Against Purchasing Contact Lenses From A Non-Regulated Provider (PDF)
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Seneca is currently conducting a formal review of the Opticianry Diploma program in order to be accredited nationally and asks for your help. As one of our graduates or as an employer of a Seneca graduate, you are a valued source of information and your feedback is critical to the ongoing success of the program.
If you have hired a recent Seneca graduate and wish to provide feedback, please open the following link to complete the SENECA COLLEGE EMPLOYER SURVEY.
http://survey.senecac.on.ca/perseus/se.ashx?s=381B5FE5426E48B9
If you have graduated from the Seneca Opticianry Diploma Program within the past 5 years and wish to provide feedback on your education at Seneca, please open the following link to complete the SENECA COLLEGE ALUMNI SURVEY.
http://survey.senecac.on.ca/perseus/se.ashx?s=381B5FE51E716995
Your contribution is very much appreciated.
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This document was produced by MOHLTC and deals with the performance of hand hygiene in health care settings across the continuum of care (see below) including, but not limited to, acute care, complex continuing care, rehabilitation facilities, long-term care, chronic care, pre-hospital care and home health care.
http://www.health.gov.on.ca/english/providers/program/infectious/diseases/ic_hh.html
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The Local Health Integration Networks are a fundamental component of the government’s plan to build a stronger health care system in Ontario. Each LHIN will establish its own Health Professionals Advisory Committee comprised of members from a variety of health services professions. This multi-disciplinary committee will have the important responsibility of providing advice to the network on how to achieve patient-centred health care and further develop the leadership role of health professionals in promoting integrated health care delivery.
To learn more about this exciting volunteer opportunity to help build a stronger health care system in Ontario, please visit our web site at http://www.lhins.on.ca or read this brochure.
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The Health System Improvements Act, 2007, also known as Bill 171 is the tenth piece of legislation passed by Health and Long-Term Care Minister George Smitherman. The bill was passed on May 31, 2007.
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The Clinical Practice Guideline Expert Committee of the Canadian Ophthalmological Society has recently published evidence-based clinical practice guidelines for the periodic eye examination in adults in Canada.
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In May of 2006, the Competition Bureau undertook a national study of a number of regulated professional groups in Canada. The study examined accountants, lawyers, optometrists, opticians, pharmacists, and real estate agents to determine the extent to which these professions may use restrictive practices to control entry into their profession and/or to control the conduct of their members. The purpose of the study was to present a comparison of the legislation, regulations and codes of practices governing a range of professional services offered in all ten provinces and the three territories that affect entry and influence professional conduct.
On Tuesday, December 11, 2007, the Competition Bureau released their findings. You can read the full report by selecting the link below.
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The Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care has prepared a brochure to update Ontarians on the province's strategy for combating a flu pandemic. The brochure contains important information on how residents can protect both themselves and their families against an outbreak.
Read an online version of the Flu Pandemic Brochure here.
[PDF]
The MOHLTC has prepared an Ontario Health Plan for an Influenza Pandemic. Please check out their website page for further information, including the complete plan document.
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HPRAC Referral Letter (Minister of Health and Long Term Care)
HPRAC has released their Report “Regulation of Health Professions in Ontario: New Directions”.
"The College of Opticians of Ontario has sent a response to the MOHLTC regarding HPRAC's report "New Directions".
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On December 27, 2006, the Superior Court of Justice of Ontario handed down a judgment in the Application brought by the College against the Great Glasses franchisees. The Court dismissed a motion brought by the Great Glasses franchisees to convert the Application into an Action (a longer process involving a trial). The Court also granted an interim injunction to require the Great Glasses franchisees (including their employees, agents, independent contractors, and other persons carrying on business in association with them or on their behalf), to comply with the RHPA, the Code and the Regulations. The Court also made other orders relating to the timetable for future steps to be taken in the Application, and ordered the Great Glasses franchisees to pay the costs of the College for the motion to convert and the motion for interim relief.
You can read the full judgment here. [PDF]
On December 27, 2006 the Court granted an interim injunction against a number of Great Glasses stores requiring them to comply with the RHPA. We have completed investigations and have evidence we believe will support further action. We will be moving for contempt of the injunction issued by the court in December of last year. We are still awaiting a court date to argue for a permanent injunction, but will be seeking an immediate court date to hear the contempt motion on the interim injunction.
UPDATE:
The Honourable Justice Perell of the Ontario Superior Court has handed down a lengthy decision in which he dismissed a motion by fifteen Great Glasses franchisees to stay the Application by the College of Opticians for an injunction to require their compliance with the Regulated Health Professions Act and to stay the motion for an order that Great Glasses franchisees be found in contempt for breaching the interlocutory order of the Honourable Justice Spies. This means that the College may now proceed with contempt proceedings against Great Glasses franchisees who are not complying with the legal requirement that dispensing may only be performed by opticians, and only on the basis of a prescription from a physician or optometrist.
As reported earlier, the recent decision of the Honourable Justice Perell dismissed a motion by the Great Glasses franchises to stay a motion by the College of Opticians for an order that Great Glasses franchises be found in contempt for breaching the interlocutory order of the Honourable Justice Spies. As a result of that decision the Great Glasses franchises are required to pay $17,000 to the College for the costs of the motion.
Interim Suspension
On November 16, 2006, the certificate of registration of Bruce Bergez R.O. C-1192 was suspended by order of the Executive Committee under section 37 of the Health Professions Procedural Code. The suspension is effective immediately and will remain in place until the matter of the allegations of professional misconduct against Mr. Bergez are disposed of by a panel of the Discipline Committee of the College.
Interim Suspension
On December 20, 2007, the certificate of registration of Arthur Kochberg, RO C-202, was suspended effective immediately; pursuant to the Interim Order, under section 37 of the Health Professions Procedural Code, being schedule 2 to the Regulated Health Professions Act, 1991, S.O. 1991 c.18. The interim suspension will remain in place until the matter of the specified allegations referred to the Discipline Committee in the Notice of Hearing dated December 20, 2007, is disposed of by a panel of the Discipline Committee of the College of Opticians.
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The Office of the Fairness Commissioner (OFC) has been established to ensure that registration practices are transparent, objective, impartial and fair. The OFC requires that regulatory bodies submit a registration practices report annually.
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