Notice to Members
April 30, 2020, 5:15 p.m.
Dear Colleagues,
Much has changed today with the Premier’s announcement this afternoon.
Here is our update for today:
- Premier Kenney announced a change to public health orders. During today’s provincial update, Premier Kenney announced that there will be a change to the orders that dictated the closure of close contact care providers. This means that regulated health professionals including chiropractors can choose to return to practice under direction from their regulator. Alberta Health has indicated Public Health will need to review and approve regulatory bodies’ return to practice plans before practitioners are entitled to practice.
Chiropractors will not be able to open until the ACAC has received Public Health approval of the Return to Practice plan.
- Yes, there is a discrepancy in the announcement between May 4 and May 14 as possible start dates. We have been told to expect that chiropractors should be able to return to practice with other regulated health-care professionals on May 4. We expect to receive confirmation of this tomorrow.
- Next steps on the Return to Practice plan. The ACAC is working on revisions now and will present those to Council within 24 hours. Once Council approves, the plan will go to Public Health for review and approval.
We will provide members with the plan that is submitted to Public Health so members can begin preparing their clinics and practices in anticipation of re-opening. As soon as we receive approval from Public Health, clinics can start re-booking patients and restart their marketing.
The plan will be revised significantly based on the member feedback we received, focusing on pandemic practice only.
- Chiropractic care remains limited to urgent, critical and emergency care. Until Public Health approves our return to work plan, 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.
- Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) requirements. The initial information from Alberta Health Services is that the appropriate use of PPE will be a requirement of returning to practice for close contact practitioners. As mentioned in the virtual member meetings on Tuesday and Wednesday, the CCA has arranged supply for chiropractors. The size and buying power of the CCA made them the ideal advocate to secure PPE. The CCA has committed to providing information to members by tomorrow.
- Adjustments to the relaunch of businesses may occur. As we have just seen with the pull back of Lloydminster opening due to a new outbreak. Premier Kenney indicated that restrictions may need to be tightened during enduring public health measures based on fluctuations in the rate of COVID-19 infections in regions within the province.
We cannot stress this enough: this remains a very fluid situation and its direction can change rapidly. We will keep you informed of changes as we become aware.
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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