Advocacy

Long-Term Care Homes Act, 2007 and Community Care Access Corporations (CCAC) Act, 2001

OASW played an active leadership role in communicating concerns to government and key stakeholders regarding the implications on the role of hospital-based social workers of regulations intended to expand the role of CCACs related to discharge planning. An amendment to regulations under the Long-Term Care Homes Act, 2007, which comes into effect in July 2010, codifies the existing policy, which requires the role of LTCH placement coordinators to be assumed by CCACs. Additionally, amendments to the Community Care Access Corporations (CCAC) Act, 2001, broaden the authority of CCACs to manage the placement of patients in adult day programs, supportive housing programs, as well as in palliative care, chronic care and rehabilitation beds in public hospitals, but do not obligate CCACs to assume this role. 

Bill 179: Regulated Health Professions Statute Law Amendment Act, 2009

OASW, in conjunction with four other professional associations (physicians, psychologists, nurses and occupational therapists) whose members are qualified to provide psychotherapy services, successfully lobbied for changes to the Psychotherapy Act to remove restrictions on use of the title “Psychotherapist”. Removal of this restriction has resulted in an amendment to various profession-specific acts, including the Social Work and Social Service Work Act, 1998, and will enable social workers and members of other existing professions who meet conditions and terms set by their College, to use the title “Psychotherapist” once the appropriate section of the Psychotherapy Act is proclaimed into law. 

Amendment to the Social Work and Social Service Work Act, 1998 Re: Use of the Title “Doctor”

Ongoing lobbying by OASW and the Social Work Doctors’ Colloquium was effective in a historic amendment to the Social Work and Social Service Work Act, 1998. When this amendment is proclaimed, social work members of the Ontario College of Social Workers and Social Service Workers, with earned doctorates in social work, may use the title “Doctor” when providing health care services to individuals as long as they are in compliance with the requirements set out under this Act, its regulations and by-laws.

5-Year Review of the Insurance Act

OASW continues to advocate for regulatory changes to the Statutory Accident Benefits Schedule (SABS) of the Insurance Act, which would allow registered social workers who work with claimants of automobile insurance to sign the OCF-18 assessment and treatment form. While able to complete the form, only a member of the Regulated Health Professions Act defined in the SABS as a “health practitioner” can sign the form.

In addition, commonly used health intervention “injury” codes were developed for use by social workers when completing OCF forms. The codes have been posted on the website and are part of a resource area that the Association is in the process of developing for members who work in this sector. OASW continues to serve on the Coalition of Regulated Health Professionals and Allied Organizations, which provides input to government and the insurance industry related to an array of issues impacting on service delivery within this sector.