OAND Vision for a Strong New Foundation for the Profession
The final approval of the new Naturopathy Act in 2007, along with the amendment last fall to include prescribing authority moves Naturopathic Doctors into the same regulatory framework as every other health profession. This creates important new opportunities for the profession to become a much more vital force in the health of Ontarians.
The OAND believes the patients of NDs will be best served if NDs can work to the full scope of their training and capability, and with the potential for the naturopathic practice to continue to evolve. If these new rules do not support full scope, or make it difficult for NDs to explore new therapeutic approaches, these opportunities may not be fully realized.
Developing these new rules is the role of the Transitional Council. The Transitional Council, which met for the first time in November, 2009, is responsible for preparing the new regulations that the Ontario government needs to approve for the Naturopathy Act comes into full force to replace the Drugless Practitioner Act. When that happens, the new College of Naturopaths of Ontario will take over responsibility for regulating the profession.
In every health profession, the regulator, educational institution and professional association have different mandates, but a strong and common interest in having a well regulated profession. This is equally true for naturopathic medicine. The mandate of the OAND through the transition process is to be the voice of the profession, advocating on behalf of our members to support the Transitional Council in developing effective new rules. Working together is critical to the success of this effort.
The five guiding principles developed by the OAND to achieve our vision for a strong new foundation for Naturopathic Medicine in Ontario are:
Full Scope
An approach to regulation that supports a dynamic and evolving profession able to practise safely to the full of extent of their training and competence
Naturopathic Principles
An approach to regulation that ensures the profession evolves while preserving the integrity of the naturopathic approach to care.
Primary Care Providers
To establish NDs as primary care providers supported through regulation to achieve their full potential in contributing to patient care.
Integrated
Identify and address potential barriers to NDs being integrated fully into the health care system and valued as partners in collaborative care.
Best Practices
Establish clear and effective new standards of practice that achieve the public interest by building on regulatory best practices of other health care professions and Naturopathic Medicine in other jurisdictions.
The new rules for the profession that are developed in the transition process will shape naturopathic care in the province for many years to come. The OAND, as the voice for the profession, is committed to supporting the success of the transition process.
