THE COMPLAINT INVESTIGATION PROCESS
The process for all complaints is governed by the requirements of the Health Professions Act.
These requirements include the following:
A complaint must be in writing and delivered to the Registrar of the College;
After initial review by the Registrar, all complaints are referred to the Inquiry Committee;
Upon receipt of a complaint, the Inquiry Committee must investigate the complaint.
The investigation of a complaint usually involves obtaining further information about the circumstances of the complaint which may include a review of relevant clinical records and interviews
The powers of the Inquiry Committee to investigate a complaint include the power to appoint an inspector, who may attend at the physiotherapist’s clinic and make copies of relevant records. They also include the power to make an application to the Supreme Court for a search and seizure Order if there are reasonable grounds to believe the there is evidence of a breach of the Health Professions Act, the regulations or bylaws.
The Physical Therapist who is the subject of a complaint (a Respondent) is entitled under the Health Professions Act to provide the Inquiry Committee with any information he or she believes the committee should consider regarding the matter. Before being asked to respond to a complaint it is usual for the Respondent to be provided with a complete copy of all documents that are before the Inquiry Committee as a result of the complaint and its investigation.
When the Inquiry Committee has completed its investigation, and after considering any information provided by the Respondent, the inquiry committee may
- take no further action if the inquiry committee is of the view that the matter is trivial, frivolous, vexatious or made in bad faith or that the conduct or competence to which the matter relates is satisfactory,
- take any action it considers appropriate to resolve the matter between the complainant and the registrant,
- request in writing that the registrant do one or more of the following:
- undertake not to repeat the conduct to which the matter relates;
- undertake to take educational courses specified by the inquiry committee;
- consent to a reprimand;
- undertake or consent to any other action specified by the inquiry committee.
- or direct the registrar to issue a citation for a discipline hearing.
