Notice to Members
April 23, 2020, 4:15 p.m.
Dear Colleagues,
Today marks one month of chiropractic care being limited to urgent, critical and emergency care. We know that this has been incredibly difficult for you, your patients and your staff. We applaud the leadership shown by the entire profession in responsibly upholding the public health order.
With Saskatchewan’s announcement today that their reopening begins May 4 and includes chiropractic care, we expect this increases the urgency for you as well. Rest assured, we continue to monitor the Alberta government’s daily orders and updates and are poised to help you re-enter practice as soon as you are able. This is one of those paradoxical times where being patient will actually help us achieve this goal faster.
Here is our update for today:
- Chiropractic care remains limited to urgent, critical and emergency care. The public health order issued by the Chief Medical Officer of Health remains in effect. Please review the Notice to Members from March 30, 2020 for more details.
- Council extends and expands temporary Telehealth permission. In acknowledgment that the COVID-19 virus will likely be present for 12-18 months, the ACAC Council approved amendments to the current Telehealth permission. Chiropractors can now conduct Telehealth consultations with new patients in addition to existing patients. This allows new patients to receive necessary care while maintaining public health measures. Council also extended the date of the Telehealth permission until Wednesday June 30, 2021.
Before you can practice Telehealth, you must apply and receive permission to practice from the Registrar. Once you have completed your application, please submit it by email to the ACAC office.
- Consultation is underway on the draft return to practice plan. Consultation on the draft return to practice plan launched Wednesday, April 22, 2020. The draft return to practice plan is reflective of Standard of Practice 4.3 infection prevention and control. The plan was developed with input from the ACAC Continuing Competence Committee, Clinical Advisors and all chiropractic regulators across Canada.
Thank you to the over 100 chiropractors who have already provided feedback on the return to plan draft. We want feedback from all chiropractors, so please review the plan and share your feedback via the survey before April 29, 2020.
- Procurement of PPE and other supplies. Members have reached out to the ACAC asking about procurement of PPE and other supplies such as hand sanitizer and disinfectant. The ACAC and the CCA are currently exploring options. Wherever the best overall pricing and access can be achieved is the route we will take. More information will be available next week.
- Register now for the free webinar with Dr. Kawchuk on GLA:D back. On May 7, 2020, the ACAC will be hosting a free webinar called, “GLA:D Back: A group-based program to help people with recurrent and/or persistent low back pain.” Presented by Dr. Greg Kawchuk, the presentation will highlight the research findings from studies completed in other countries as well as discuss the work currently underway in Alberta.
Dr. Todd Halowski
Registrar
Alberta College and Association of Chiropractors
11203 - 70 Street NW
Edmonton, AB, T5B 1T1
P 780.420.0932 | F 780.425.6583
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