MORE PROTECTION, CHOICE AND IMPROVED HEALTHCARE FOR ONTARIANS:
OAND COMMENTS ON HEALTH SYSTEM IMPROVEMENT BILL

Improved regulation moves naturopathic doctors into mainstream

Toronto (December 12, 2006) Ontarians can expect better access to high quality healthcare when the Health System Improvement Act comes into effect, according to the organization representing Ontario’s naturopathic doctors (NDs). The changes introduced in this bill will improve the regulation of NDs, offering important support and protection for Ontarians who choose complementary healthcare.

“This legislation clearly signals that this government is committed to supporting Ontarians who choose complementary healthcare by making sure they have access to high quality care,” said Ruth Anne Baron ND, Chair of the Ontario Association of Naturopathic Doctors (OAND). “Ontarians are taking charge of their health, and many are being drawn to the holistic approach of NDs. The effective regulation of the profession will now allow NDs to reach their full potential as partners in primary healthcare and illness prevention.”

Ontario’s NDs support the overall direction of the Health System Improvement Act and furthermore applaud the government for following the Health Profession Advisory Council’s (HPRAC) recommendations to bring NDs under the Regulated Health Professions Act (RHPA), with an effective scope of practice that includes the most important Controlled Acts that NDs perform today. The OAND looks forward to studying the legislation and working within the legislative process to address any details in the legislation.

Ontario’s over 800 NDs are highly educated primary care providers who integrate standard medical diagnostics with a broad range of natural therapies. NDs obtain comprehensive and rigorous training in an educational structure similar to that of medical doctors. NDs require three years of pre-med university education, four years of fulltime study at an accredited college of naturopathic medicine and continuing education to maintain their registration.

NDs practice a unique, comprehensive and evidence-based approach to improving health and treating illness. NDs support and stimulate the body’s ability to heal itself, focusing on prevention and using natural substances and treatments. The primary goal of naturopathic treatment is to address the cause of illness, rather than simply treating or suppressing symptoms. “We are focused on helping people to live healthier lives,” Ruth Anne Baron ND said. “The more that evidence comes in, the more comfortable people are about looking at complementary therapies. There’s just been an explosion of interest.”

Today’s legislation provides the public with better protection by giving NDs the same kind of title protection as other regulated health professions. It also will help to ensure that patients receive the most comprehensive and effective care possible by allowing NDs to work in partnership with other regulated healthcare providers, by making communication between them easier.

The profession is currently regulated in Ontario under the antiquated and ineffective Drugless Practitioners Act, which does not meet the needs of the public or the profession. NDs are also regulated in British Columbia, Saskatchewan and Manitoba.

Ontarians are already choosing care from NDs. Nearly one-fifth (18 percent) of Ontarians say they have visited an ND for treatment of an illness or for illness prevention counselling, according to recent public opinion research. The same survey found that more than double that number, or five million potential patients, would use the services of an ND in the future if more effective regulation were in place. The full polling questionnaire and response data can be found at www.oand.org.

The OAND is the professional association representing Ontario’s registered NDs.


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For further information contact:

Leigh Nash
Information and Program Associate
OAND
416-233-2001 x. 22
info@oand.org
www.oand.org