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The Health Practice Commission

To Ensure Quality Healthcare for All

Under the new Health Practice Law (2002), which came into effect on 1 June 2004, the Health Practice Commission (HPC) licenses health care facilities and four professional councils regulate health care professionals.

What does the law mean in practice?

  • In the past, health care facilities received planning approval prior to construction, but there was no ongoing monitoring. Under the new law, HPC inspectors will visit all health care facilities to ensure that they are safe, have appropriate and adequate equipment in place, that all health practitioners are registered with appropriate councils and have malpractice and public liability insurance.
  • According to their field of care, a council will license health professionals to practice.
    • The Medical and Dental Council will license medical doctors, podiatrists, osteopaths, dentists, and dental hygienists, therapists, technicians, and dental surgical assistants;
    • The Nursing and Midwifery Council will license all nurses and midwives;
    • The Pharmacy Council will be responsible for pharmacists; and
    • The Council for Professions Allied with Medicine will license all other health care professionals such as acupuncturists, chiropractors, optometrists, paramedics, and mental health counsellors.

How does this affect me?

  • The councils will ensure that you receive health care from qualified professionals.
  • The commission will ensure that you receive this care in a facility that is safe, staffed by qualified professionals, and outfitted with the necessary equipment;
  • The councils and the commission will promote high standards in health services, which means you can rest assured that you are receiving proper professional health care.
  • Decisions of the commission or councils can be appealed to an appeals tribunal.

Members of the Health Practice Commission are:

  • Ms. Andrea Bryan, Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Health Services, Chair Person
  • Dr.Steve Tomlinson, Deputy Chairman
  • Lindsey Cacho, Assignee of Attorney General
  • Dr. A. K. Kumar, Medical Officer of Health
  • Frederick McCleary, Chief Building Control Officer

Health Appeals Tribunal:

  • Eileen Nervik, Chair Person
  • Nicholas Johnson
  • Professor Owen Morgan

Offices of HPC and Councils:

Sigma Building, 93 Hospital Road. Tel: 949-2813 Fax: 946-2845