International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination

March 21, 2021 marks the International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination. 

In response to the murder of George Floyd and the Black Lives Matter movement, CAOT released a statement (found here) which offered five actions occupational therapists can take. Included in these resources is a video by Marie-Lyne Grenier, presenting their research on "Questioning White Supremacy in Occupational Therapy Practice and Education." The link to this video can be found here, and aligns with the purpose of International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination. 

Furthermore, guided by the International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination, the International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination recognizes that injustice and struggles with racism take place every day. The UN works with other countries “to adopt special measures to eliminate conditions that cause or help perpetuate racial discrimination.”

Visit International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination for more information.

#OT365

CAOT-BC Release: Occupational therapists seek path to improved care in proposed ICBC changes

CAOT-BC had the opportunity to state its support for the government’s intent to improve access to care for British Columbians injured in a motor vehicle accident at a press conference held Wednesday March 4th  with the Attorney General, David Eby, and Justina Loh from Disability Alliance of BC. 

CAOT-BC Managing Director Tanya Fawkes-Kirby shared the association position of support for the government’s vision of providing better care and recovery benefits for individuals whose lives are impacted by injuries from motor vehicle accidents.  

CAOT-BC is a regional chapter of the Canadian Association of Occupational Therapists.  They have been working closely with ICBC to articulate the challenges that clients have faced when seeking needed care and there is renewed optimism that the concerns of health professionals and client advocates have been heard.  CAOT-BC has not commented on all aspects of the government’s plan, acknowledging that while there is much common ground regarding health benefits for clients, there is not consensus in the occupational therapy community on some of the legal and administrative aspects of the proposed changes.

Going forward, CAOT-BC is working with ICBC to clarify how best practice assessment and treatment services will be provided, and how funding approval will be managed. Ongoing consultation will allow for continued collaboration with ICBC, the Attorney General, health care professionals and patient advocacy groups to inform best practices in rehabilitation care. 

OTs provide unique services that help BC residents return to the activities that are important to their everyday lives, as soon as possible.  The provision of increased care benefits to help injured individuals access the services they require is central to the mission of OTs.

Fawkes-Kirby noted “CAOT-BC is pleased with the efforts of the Attorney General’s office to listen to feedback from health care representatives regarding improved care, and we look forward to contributing to the planning and implementation phases to make this vision a reality. Occupational therapists remain truly committed to helping British Columbians recover their lives and their independence in the wake of a motor vehicle accident.”   

CAOT-BC Managing Director was quoted in several news stories, including:

BC Government News Release: Legislation introduced to transform ICBC, deliver lower rates

Global News Story: B.C. government requiring ICBC to notify those injured in a crash of benefits under new system

#OT365

CAOT-BC supportive of new care-based system for ICBC customers

February 6, 2020

For Immediate Release

RE: Transforming ICBC to deliver lower rates, better benefits

The Canadian Association of Occupational Therapists - BC Chapter (CAOT-BC) supports the plan outlined in today’s announcement from the Attorney General to provide better care and recovery benefits while reducing barriers and cost for ICBC customers. The government has announced that they want less delays in access to care and better outcomes for people injured in motor vehicle accidents. We believe these changes will help individuals access the care they need and recover sooner and more thoroughly than they are able to under the current litigation-based model. Occupational therapists provide key services that help people return to their meaningful daily activities following a motor vehicle accident. The increased care benefits available after May 1, 2021 will better allow occupational therapists to help injured drivers, passengers and pedestrians return to their daily lives as soon as possible.

CAOT-BC has been working in collaboration with ICBC to inform best practices in rehabilitation care throughout the changes over the past three years. Continued collaboration between the government, ICBC, health care professionals, and patient advocate groups will be necessary to ensure that the new enhanced care system is successful and effective in delivering the care that those injured in a motor vehicle accident need and deserve. We look forward to continued consultation with the Attorney General’s office and ICBC to help define and implement these transformational changes to health care delivery in a meaningful and thorough way. 

About Occupational Therapy

OTs are regulated health professionals that improve the health and wellbeing of Canadians by creating client-centred solutions that help them participate more fully in activities that are important to their everyday lives. OTs work as valued members in health teams that support people with a variety of physical, mental, or cognitive conditions in their homes, communities, hospitals, workplaces, and schools. Occupational therapy interventions improve lives and save money across the age span in all aspects of society. By considering the individual in his or her environments, an OT is able to determine the skills required to maximize an individual’s potential to participate and thrive in their daily lives.

Contact:

Tanya Fawkes-Kirby
Managing Director, CAOT-BC
Canadian Association of Occupational Therapists
1-800-434-2268 ext. 265
tfkirby@caot.ca

#OT365

CAOT-BC Response: Shortage of occupational therapists in BC leads to a six month wait for critical health care services for Surrey resident

The current shortage of occupational therapists (OTs) is already directly impacting health care delivery to British Columbians. Rick S., a Surrey resident who lives with mobility issues following a spinal cord injury, has told CAOT-BC that ‘he has been waiting for an assessment by an OT since December 10, 2018’. With the required documentation submitted by his family doctor in December, and no assessment scheduled to date, Rick will be waiting at least another three months for an OT to provide the appropriate wheelchair or scooter to allow him to effectively access his community. Waiting over six months for something so fundamental to daily life is unacceptable. “As someone living with a spinal cord injury, I don’t know why this has to take such a long time; it’s very frustrating” says Rick.

The Canadian Association of Occupational Therapists – British Columbia Chapter (CAOT-BC) is disappointed with the BC government’s lack of follow-through and funding to provide additional OT training seats in their 2019 Budget. While the support to improve mental health care and team-based primary care is promising, the budget falls short in ensuring an adequate supply of critical health team members such as occupational therapists to meet the demands of these necessary services.

“The key area of concern for CAOT-BC is the lack of funding for more training seats at our sole program in the province. With only 48 seats, the University of British Columbia occupational therapy program at the Vancouver campus is the smallest English-speaking program in Canada. Without an increase, we simply do not have enough OTs to meet the current care needs of British Columbians, let alone the increased demand that will come with the government’s new strategies for health care delivery” says Tanya Fawkes-Kirby, CAOT-BC Managing Director. “This shortage will limit the government’s ability to implement effective team-based primary care, innovative mental health care, quality seniors’ care, and rehabilitation for ICBC customers under the new care-focused model.”

Extensive waitlists have been a common theme in health care access in BC and they will remain so without appropriate workforce considerations.  People with chronic illness or disabilities cannot afford to wait months to access occupational therapists. Their health depends on being able to access their community, go to school or work, and maintain social relationships. CAOT-BC has been calling for increased training of occupational therapist in BC since 2012 to address workforce issues such as inadequate supply, geographic distribution, and the needs of interdisciplinary teams. In order to begin to meet the current demand, we are calling for a doubling in the number of occupational therapists trained in the province from 48 to 96.

The BC government's goal is "to deliver accessible and responsive health care services guided by the needs of patients". The theme of Budget 2019 is "Making Life Better" for British Columbians but it fell short on funding the necessary health team members such as OTs. Consequently, the high quality, innovative, and cost-effective care that OTs provide remains unavailable to British Columbians like Rick.

About Occupational Therapy
OTs are regulated health professionals that improve the health and wellbeing of Canadians by creating client-centred solutions that help them participate more fully in activities that are important to their everyday lives. OTs work as valued members in health teams that support people with a variety of physical, mental, or cognitive conditions in their homes, communities, hospitals, workplaces, and schools. Occupational therapy interventions improve lives and save money across the age span in all aspects of society. By considering the individual in his or her environments, an OT is able to determine the skills required to maximize an individual’s potential to participate and thrive in their daily lives.

Contact:
Tanya Fawkes-Kirby
Managing Director, CAOT-BC
Canadian Association of Occupational Therapists
1-800-434-2268 ext. 265
tfkirby@caot.ca

CAOT-BC says BC Government is headed in the right direction by investing in residential care staffing levels

The Canadian Association of Occupational Therapists- BC Chapter (CAOT-BC) is encouraged by the BCGovernment announcement to invest in residential care staffing levels in order to increase the direct care seniors receive to 3.36 hours per-resident day. CAOT-BC believes the addition of new full-time equivalent positions, including 50 allied-health care professionals (occupational therapy, physiotherapy and social work), will mean better quality care for BC’s seniors. Occupational therapists provide key services for seniors in residential care including preventing injuries, improving independence and enhancing quality of life.

However, more training is needed to meet the demand for occupational therapy in the province of BC.

CAOT-BC has long been calling for a strengthening of BC occupational therapy workforce. Currently there are just 48 occupational therapists graduating from the UBC Faculty of Medicine, Department of Occupational Science and Occupational Therapy program every year, which is simply not enough to support BC’s aging population and the growing demand for services. Currently, BCs health employers are forced to recruit from other provinces or even other countries. What is needed is an immediate increase in funding to train occupational therapits here in BC. CAOT-BC has long advocated for improved access to occupational therapy services and will continue to meet and work with government to ensure BC’s seniors have access to the care they need.

About Occupational Therapy

Occupational therapists (OTs) improve the health and well-being of people by creating client-centred solutions that help them participate more fully in activities that are important to their everyday lives. Whether working in homes, communities, hospitals, workplaces or schools, OTs are valued members of health teams as their interventions improve lives and save money. OTs work with patients in a range of settings with a wide variety of physical, mental and cognitive conditions that are chronic or episodic in nature. By considering the individual, in his or her environment and determining the necessary competencies and skills set to “manage” the business of “daily functioning and living” OTs are able to unleash an individual’s potential so that s/he can participate and thrive in daily life.

About CAOT-BC

CAOT-BC is a regional chapter of the Canadian Association of Occupational Therapists and the voice of occupational therapists in British Columbia.

Contact:

Sarah Charles, OT

Service Coordinator, CAOT-BC

Canadian Association of Occupational Therapists

1-800-434-2268 ext. 245

#OT365

CAOT-BC submits a response to “More physiotherapists need to be trained to meet growing demand”

June 14, 2018

Response to: More physiotherapists need to be trained to meet growing demand (June 13, 2018)

The Canadian Association of Occupational Therapists BC chapter (CAOT-BC) would like to echo and further build on Ms. Bradstock’s comments on the shortage of vital allied health professionals including occupational therapists.

CAOT-BC has been calling for increased training of occupational therapists in BC to address a workforce shortage since 2012. With only 48 seats at the sole program in BC, the UBC occupational therapy program at the Vancouver campus is the smallest English-speaking program in Canada.

Since 2012, the situation has become even more dire. With a 57% increase in new occupational therapy registrants over the past 5 years, we are not even close to keeping up with demand, let alone ready to fill the many positions that will be needed in the expanding health services including management of joint replacement surgery wait lists, enabling seniors to stay home longer, improved mental health care, expanding the Foundry model, building primary care teams, supporting recovery of injured workers through WorksafeBC and helping ICBC deliver a new care-focused model.

Currently, the BC occupational therapy workforce is heavily reliant on in-migration from other provinces and outside of Canada, and a staggering 70% of our workforce is not trained in BC. If something were to happen to this in-migration pipeline of therapists, where would our workforce come from? The results could be catastrophic to healthcare areas where occupational therapists are key team members. Another factor to consider is the maldistribution of the occupational therapy workforce when matched with the population with the biggest gaps in Fraser Health and Northern Health. Coupled with the reliance on in-migration, the occupational therapy workforce is extremely fragile and not ready to meet the growing demand for services.

The solution is to increase training in BC immediately. CAOT-BC is calling for a doubling in the number of occupational therapists trained in the province from 48 to 96. By doubling the graduating class, not only will this reduce the reliance on in-migration by approximately 50%, but also allow British Columbians who want to become occupational therapists the opportunity to do so. Currently, 14% of program applicants are successful with many others forced to leave the province to seek training elsewhere in Canada or outside of the country. With many job openings and vacant positions, we are missing the opportunity to create jobs that British Columbians are demanding and for which there are many openings.

CAOT-BC recommends that the additional training spaces be put into place via a distributed model with the addition of 8 seats to the UBC Vancouver campus, 24 seats in a Fraser Health cohort and 16 seats in Northern Health, cohorts that are matched to the distribution gaps. With many qualified applicants coming from these regions, we are confident that the distributed cohorts will serve to support recruitment and retention in those underserved regions. 

With a focus on enabling people to engage in necessary daily activities following injury, illness, disability or other barriers, occupational therapists are a vital health care team member. Occupational therapists help individuals overcome these challenges to maximize their participation and function in their daily activities as well as optimize their quality of life.

Giovanna Boniface, OT, Reg. OT (BC)
National Director of Professional Affairs
Managing Director (CAOT-BC)
Canadian Association of Occupational Therapists
613-523-2268 or 800-434-2268 ext. 265
Fax: 613-523-2552

A step in the right direction: British Columbia government is launching a new, four-part surgical strategy aimed at reducing wait times for the health care British Columbians need.

However, BC’s Occupational Therapists say more training is needed to meet demand.

The Canadian Association of Occupational Therapists- BC Chapter (CAOT-BC) supports Premier John Horgan’s announcement to launch a surgical strategy that will reduce wait times for British Columbians.

“We are especially pleased to see that the government recognizes the vital role occupational therapists (OTs) play in supporting this surgical strategy” said Giovanna Boniface, National Director of Professional Affairs of CAOT. Occupational therapy enables people to engage in necessary daily activities (also known as occupations) so they can get back to living their lives following injury, illness, disability or other barriers. These occupations include all the activities that a person needs and wants to do in their day; for example, self-care tasks, such as bathing, dressing and toileting, home-making, community access, leisure activities, driving and paid or unpaid employment.

CAOT-BC has long been calling for a strengthening of BC occupational therapy workforce. “Currently there are just 48 occupational therapists graduating from the UBC Faculty of Medicine, Department of Occupational Science and Occupational Therapy program every year,” added Boniface. “That is simply not enough to support government’s surgical strategy. We are forced to recruit from other provinces or even other countries. What is needed is an immediate increase in funding to train OTs right here at home. Training more occupational therapists in British Columbia will assist in making the surgical strategy a success.”

About Occupational Therapy

Occupational therapy is a regulated health profession whose role is to enable people to engage in necessary daily activities (also known as occupations) following injury, illness, disability or other barriers. OTs improve the health and well-being of Canadians by creating client-centred solutions that help them participate more fully in activities that are important to their everyday lives.

 

For media requests, please contact:

Giovanna Boniface, Reg. OT (BC)

National Director of Professional Affairs

Canadian Association of Occupational Therapists

613-523-2268 or 800-434-2268 ext. 265  Fax: 613-523-2552

#OT365

CAOT-BC says BC budget is headed in the right direction by investing in health

The Canadian Association of Occupational Therapists- BC Chapter (CAOT-BC) is encouraged by the BC Government budget announcement. “Investing in team-based primary care to expand services from physicians and other health care professionals like occupational therapists is a step in the right direction to transform how British Columbians access health services in our province” said Giovanna Boniface, National Director of Professional Affairs of CAOT.

CAOT-BC is also pleased to see investments in seniors care across the continuum including primary care, home and community care and residential care. We are optimistic that investments will be made to increase direct care hours to seniors in residential care including the addition of occupational therapy full-time equivalents (FTEs) to support seniors to maintain and thrive in their ability to participate in daily activities. According to the Seniors Advocate report of November 2016, there has been a downward trend in access to occupational therapy.Investments must be made to ensure seniors receive this vital service in a timely manner.

CAOT-BC has long advocated for improved access to occupational therapy services and will continue to meet and work with government to ensure British Columbians have access to the care they need.

About Occupational Therapy

Occupational therapists (OTs) improve the health and well-being of people by creating client-centred solutions that help them participate more fully in activities that are important to their everyday lives. Whether working in homes, communities, hospitals, workplaces or schools, OTs are valued members of health teams as their interventions improve lives and save money. OTs work with patients in a range of settings with a wide variety of physical, mental and cognitive conditions that are chronic or episodic in nature.  By considering the individual, in his or her environment and determining the necessary competencies and skills set to “manage” the business of “dally functioning and living” OTs are able to unleash an individual’s potential so that s/he can participate and thrive in daily life.

About CAOT-BC

CAOT-BC is a regional chapter of the Canadian Association of Occupational Therapists and the voice of occupational therapists in British Columbia.

 

Contact:

Giovanna Boniface, OT

National Director of Professional Affairs; Managing Director (CAOT-BC)

Canadian Association of Occupational Therapists

1-800-434-2268 ext. 265

CAOT-BC Responds to BC Budget

NEWS RELEASE

Budget update moves in the right direction

September 11, 2017-

The Canadian Association of Occupational Therapists- BC Chapter (CAOT-BC) is encouraged by the BC Government budget update. “Today’s update provides much needed resources to respond to the fentanyl crisis that includes prevention, early intervention, treatment and recovery efforts” said Giovanna Boniface, National Director of Professional Affairs of CAOT. Investment in youth mental health such as Foundry centres is a step in the right direction to transform how young people access health and social services in our province. Occupational therapists play a key role in enabling individuals to engage in healthy patterns of activity and meaningful participation in the community.

“This budget is a very good start and key investments in the health care workforce, in particular occupational therapy, will be needed to help the government deliver on its mandate to improve mental health and addictions services” added Boniface. With only 48 graduates from the single educational program in the province (UBC Faculty of Medicine, Department of Occupational Science and Occupational Therapy), the time is now to invest in our workforce to ensure we can deliver timely, quality care when it is needed most.

Despite being the third largest provincial population behind Ontario and Quebec, BC hosts the smallest English-speaking program in Canada. It is imperative to increase the supply of occupational therapists trained in BC in order to provide much needed health services. CAOT-BC looks forward to working with the new Minister of Health and Minister of Mental Health and Addictions to deliver the health services British Columbians can count on.

 

About Occupational Therapy

Occupational therapists (OTs) improve the health and well-being of people by creating client-centred solutions that help them participate more fully in activities that are important to their everyday lives. Whether working in homes, communities, hospitals, workplaces or schools, OTs are valued members of health teams as their interventions improve lives and save money. OT’s work with patients in a range of settings with a wide variety of physical, mental and cognitive conditions that are chronic or episodic in nature.  By considering the individual, in his or her environment, determining the necessary competencies and skills set to “manage” the business of “dally functioning and living” OT’s are able to unleash an individual’s potential so that s/he can participate and thrive in daily life.

About CAOT-BC

CAOT-BC is a regional chapter of the Canadian Association of Occupational Therapists and the voice of occupational therapists in British Columbia.

 

Contact:

Giovanna Boniface, OT

National Director of Professional Affairs; Managing Director (CAOT-BC)

Canadian Association of Occupational Therapists

1-800-434-2268 ext. 265

BC Government Announces PWD Rate Increase

The new BC Government has announced a disability benefit (PWD) rate increase of $100 per month. CAOT-BC congratulates this decision and looks forward to working with the government to improve the health and wellbeing of British Columbians living with disability.

Read the news release

#bcpoli #hcsm #OT365

CAOT-BC News Release: New funding to help create team-based primary care services throughout B.C is a positive step

CAOT-BC supports Minister Terry Lakes’ announcement to invest $90 million over three years to bring integrated team-based primary care services to more communities throughout British Columbia.

“The increased funding is a necessary step to begin to shift care to the community rather than in the hospital” said Giovanna Boniface, National Director of Professional Affairs of CAOT. “This is a move in the right direction that will lead to better use of non-physician resources such as allied health professionals. We are pleased to see that occupational therapists (OTs) will be included in these primary care teams. Occupational therapists first authored guidelines for patient centred practice in the 1980s, and this approach to practice has been embedded in the training curricula for decades. Occupational therapists are well poised to assist family doctors to better manage elderly patients with chronic and often difficult issues that interfere with the job of daily life. The care provided by OTs enables people to carry out their daily activities (“occupations”) so they can enjoy a full and independent life”.

However the CAOT-BC is concerned about where those additional occupational therapists will come from. to support the expansion of this model of team-based primary care across the province.

“Currently there are just 48 occupational therapists graduating from the UBC Faculty of Medicine, Department of Occupational Science and Occupational Therapy program every year,” added Boniface. “That is simply not enough to support the expansion of this model of team-based primary care across the province”. We are forced to recruit from other provinces or even other countries. What is needed is increased funding to train OTs right here at home.”

 

CAOT-BC is looking forward to assisting the bringing integrated team-based primary care services to B.C. communities. We believe that training more occupational therapists in British Columbia will assist in making that plan a success.

About Occupational Therapy

Occupational therapists are integral parts of interdisciplinary teams, and offer practice and interventions that complement and enhance a team-based model of care. Investment in occupational therapy enables British Columbians living with injury, illness and/or disability to maintain their abilities and independence so they can remain healthy, happy, and independent.

 

For media requests, please contact:

 

Giovanna Boniface, OT

National Director of Professional Affairs

Canadian Association of Occupational Therapists

613-523-2268 or 800-434-2268 ext. 265  Fax: 613-523-2552

Access full CAOT-BC news release here

CAOT-BC Response to Ministry of Health Announcement

On March 9, 2017, Minister of Health, Terry Lake announced $500 million in additional funding for home and community care as well as $10 million for a new long-term care equipment purchase fund for wheelchairs and ceiling lifts for residential care facilities. CAOT-BC was pleased to be at the BC Legislature as a guest of the Ministry of Health to observe the announcement by Minister Lake and Parliamentary Secretary Dr. Darryl Plecas. It was wonderful to be welcomed by Minister Lake and to hear that the funding would improve access to occupational therapy in the residential care sector.

On behalf of the almost 2,400 occupational therapists in British Columbia and all of the clients they serve, Giovanna Boniface, CAOT National Director of Professional Affairs thanked Minister Lake, Dr. Plecas, and MLA Linda Larsen (Chair of the Select Standing Committee on Health) for this commitment.

The increased funding means 1,500 more health care professionals, including occupational therapists, will be hired in British Columbia’s residential care facilities to care for our seniors. It also means each senior will receive the recommended 3.36 hours of direct care provided by nurses and allied health staff, such as occupational therapists, every single day. Despite this commitment, CAOT-BC is still concerned about where those additional occupational therapists will come from. With just 48 occupational therapists graduating from the UBC Faculty of Medicine, Department of Occupational Science and Occupational Therapy program every year, it is simply not enough to meet the needs of British Columbia’s growing population of seniors.

CAOT-BC is looking forward to assisting the provincial government in following through on its home and community action plan, and while there is much work to be done with respect to implementation, we are hopeful that access to occupational therapy will be improved for British Columbia seniors.

Read the BC Ministry of Health announcement

Read the full CAOT-BC press release 

ICBC Vancouver Rehabilitation Department is Moving

The ICBC Rehabilitation Department Vancouver office is moving to a new location as of July 28, 2014.

The new contact information is:

456 West 5th Avenue
Vancouver, BC, V5Y 3Z3

Tel:604-871-2370 (Reception)

ICBC 2013 Annual Report Now Available

ICBC’s 2013 Annual Report was recently filed with the provincial government and is now available at http://www.icbc.com/about-icbc/company-info/Pages/Annual-Report.aspx 

The Annual Report compares ICBC’s 2013 performance in relation to their revised 2013-2015 Service Plan. The report also talks about a number of ICBC accomplishments for the year as well as detailed reporting on corporate goals and performance measures, as well as a discussion on financial results and 2013 Financial Statements.

ICBC Update- Upcoming Changes to HST

CAOT-BC has received the following message from ICBC for distribution to CAOT-BC members:

The Government of British Columbia has announced that it will reinstate the PST and GST effective April 1, 2013. This has implications for the Insurance Corporation of British Columbia (ICBC) and its suppliers.

ICBC currently pays the Harmonized Sales Tax (HST) on all taxable goods and services. Effective April 1, 2013, ICBC will be subject to the PST (7%) and GST (5%) on taxable goods and services. 

As a supplier of goods and/or services to ICBC, it is your responsibility to determine if the services and/or goods that you supply to ICBC are subject to the PST/GST and to invoice accordingly. ICBC is not able to provide advice in this regard.

CAOT-BC members who are ICBC service providers may receive a letter directly from ICBC regarding the PST/GST.

If you require information about the PST/GST, please contact your tax professional, the Canada Revenue Agency or the Consumers Tax Branch of the Ministry of Finance.

ICBC Finalizes Reporting Templates for OTs who provide service to Rehabilitation Departments

ICBC has finalized versions of the report templates to be used by OT service providers. There are three (3) templates: Initial, Progress and Discharge (version 2.0). These templates are to be used for all files with the ICBC Rehabilitation Departments. These versions have been developed in a collaborative process by the ICBC Rehabilitation Department and CAOT-BC Private Practice Network. New updates reflect suggestions and feedback received from occupational therapists across the province.

Modifications made to the Initial Report, Progress Report and Discharge Report templates (version 2.0) include:

Removal of drop down boxes. This change was made to resolve technical problems experienced in different operating systems and to resolve difficulties moving between locked and unlocked templates. Version 2.0 is provided as a MS Word Document that should now be fully compatible with all operating systems. Drop down box are replaced in the reports with a prompt, “Choose one:”, followed by a selection of specific responses. For consistency purposes, select only one of the  response choices.   

Design Change: Enhancements made to template design include: a) added prompts to make use of report templates more intuitive for Occupational Therapist, b) removal of redundant report information and c) improved order of sections to streamline the flow of information to better reflect occupational therapy service.

Individual Rehabilitation Plan/Recommendations (IRP): Projection of future occupational therapy involvement in the IRP based on a dollar cost estimate has been replaced by anticipated time frames for the hours.
                                          
ICBC understands that the time required to complete the new reporting templates varies on each file. Initial reports can be billed up to a maximum of 3 hours, Progress report can be billed up to a maximum of 2 hours and Discharge reports can be billed up to a maximum of 1 hour.

ICBC thanks all occupational therapists for their continued cooperation and participation in this process.

If you have any questions or concerns, please Steven Comberbach directly.

Steven Comberbach

CCRC, CDMS, RRP, BA

 Manager Rehab Operations

ICBC building trust. driving confidence.

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

910 Government Street

Victoria | British Columbia | V8W 3Y8

direct: 250-414-7696

mobile: 250-812-5125

 

 

 

Update from ICBC: Strike Action October 3, 2012

CAOT-BC received this message from Rob Wilson for distribution to members:

The union representing ICBC employees, COPE 378, has provided strike notice and will be picketing a number of locations on Wednesday, October 3, 2012. View list of locations affected by strike

The main ICBC locations that could affect you include:

• New Westminster – Lower Mainland Salvage
• Abbotsford- Fraser Valley Salvage (closed for the day)
• Burnaby – Collision Repair Learning Centre
• Kamloops Litigation in the Kamloops Driver Licensing Office
• New Westminster Litigation
• North Vancouver (Head Office)

With the exception of the Fraser Valley salvage, these facilities will be open on Wednesday October 3, with essential service staffing levels and managers working on site.  Customers and vendors will be able to access our locations.

If your regular business involves attending one of these sites, and you encounter a picket line, it will be up to you and/or your representatives to decide whether or not to cross the line. If you choose to do so, please:

·         Expect to be delayed and be prepared to wait until you can safely pass through the picket line. Do not become involved in any arguments or any type of altercation.

·         Explain your situation to the picketers with a statement similar to the following: "I would like to exercise my right to enter this office. Please let me cross the picket line."

·         Do not attempt to force your way past if you are prevented from crossing the picket line, or if you feel threatened.

Mail service: ICBC’s internal mail service will be suspended at Head Office, meaning no pickups or drop-offs by Purolator Courier. Regular service will resume the following day. In addition, Canada Post has been notified of the impending strike action and it is unlikely there will be any postal delivery or pickup that day at those locations. 

We are committed to continuing to serve you and your customers, while reaching a fair collective agreement with our unionized workers.

CAOT-BC Letter to BC Ombudsperson

On May 31, 2012, CAOT-BC sent the following letter to the BC Ombudsperson regarding the concern related to a rate increase for occupational therapists providing service to ICBC. In addition, the letter was sent to the ICBC Fairness Commissioner and ICBC Executive Committee chair:

May 31, 2012

Kim Carter, BC Ombudsperson
PO Box 9039 STN PROV GOVT
Victoria BC V8W 9A5 Canada

 Dear Ms. Carter:

Re:  Complaint Review for the Canadian Asociation of Occupational Therapists-BC Chapter in regards to Insurance Corporation British Columbia

This letter is in follow-up to a phone call with your office on May 8, 2012. At that time, Ms. Kathryn Jeakins spoke with my colleague and fellow CAOT-BC member Salim Janmohamed about our association’s query as to whether the BC Ombudsperson would be able to review our complaint with Insurance Corporation of British Columbia. This letter provides more detail about the nature of our complaint, efforts taken to resolve it and the outcome we desire in order to determine if our complaint can indeed be handled by the BC Ombudsperson. The purpose of this letter is to provide this additional information.  It is understood that the BC Ombudsperson cannot advocate or negotiate for our group.

 Background

The Canadian Association of Occupational Therapists – British Columbia (CAOT-BC) is the provincial professional association for occupational therapists in British Columbia. I am writing you on behalf of CAOT-BC with concerns about how ICBC is responding to our members’ requests for a rate increase.

Occupational therapists are registered healthcare professionals and since the late eighties, have contracted services on an hourly basis to ICBC to implement, coordinate and manage rehabilitation for injured motorists. There is no written contract that governs this relationship between ICBC and occupational therapists, but there are service provider guidelines and legislation (Part 7 Benefits) that govern what services we provide.

There are approximately 2000 occupational therapists in British Columbia and it is estimated approximately 400 have or currently provide contract services to ICBC through sole practitioner firms ranging up to multi-practitioner practices.

In 2010, the BC Society of Occupational Therapists (BCSOT, now replaced by CAOT, BC Chapter) requested a rate increase on behalf of occupational therapists in BC from ICBC as it had been 3 years since compensation rates had been increased. After numerous attempts to contact ICBC about this, Mr. Rob Wilson (Acting Director, ICBC Claims Services) agreed to increase rates by 6.7% on August 1, 2011 but this was quickly followed by a retraction email and a promise that the rate increase would be retro-active to August 1, 2011 and the matter would be resolved shortly. Almost one year later (and 5 years since occupational therapists had received a previous rate increase), there has been no resolution to this matter.

As a professional group that is integral in enabling injured motorists to return to daily activities after an accident, many occupational therapists have expressed concern that this issue has been repeatedly delayed and they have been given the “run around” by ICBC. Members have come to their professional association for support regarding this issue as they feel that they are being treated unfairly, with little respect and in an unprofessional manner. 

The following table outlines a list of correspondence between the occupational therapy professional association(s) and ICBC over the past 2 years:

Letter from Hilary Drummond, BCSOT President requesting Rate Increase sent to Steven Comberbach (Manager, Claims Operations Rehab Services-ICBC)	February 2010
Letters from individual occupational therapy service providers requesting Increase, sent to Steven Comberbach	February and March 2010
Rob Wilson (Acting Director, Claims Services at ICBC) called H. Drummond apologized for the delay and asked for a “week or so” to get back to H. Drummond	March 25, 2010
H. Drummond sent another email to Rob Wilson	April 6, 2010
H. Drummond sent another email to Rob Wilson	April 15, 2010
Rob Wilson called H. Drummond  and said he would send an email with questions on it; (no email was received in this regard)	April 16, 2010
Letter from Rob Wilson to H. Drummond advising a review of occupational therapy rates was being initiated	July 2010
Letter from BCSOT President Les Smith to Rob Wilson requesting response to previous correspondence regarding compensation	November 2010
Email from Rob Wilson to H. Drummond, (former BCSOT President) advising that a rate proposal was forthcoming in the “next week”	December 2010
Follow up email from Mary Wallace Poole (BCSOT Executive Director) to Rob Wilson requesting status update on the rate proposal	March 9, 2011
Follow up email from Les Smith, to Rob Wilson requesting status update	April 5, 2011
Email from Rob Wilson (“OT rate announcement”) indicating that effective August 1, 2011, rates would be increased to $96/hour	July 29, 2011
Email from Rob Wilson retracting the previous rate increase announcement indicating it was an “error”. He apologized for the miscommunication and provided assurance “that this matter will be resolved very shortly”. The same email indicated that “any rate increase announced will be retroactive to August 1, 2011”	August 1, 2011
Several emails sent from individual occupational therapy service providers to Rob Wilson requesting update to his email of August 1, 2011. No response received	September 2011
Several emails, phone calls, and one focus group meeting (between ICBC and small group of occupational therapy service providers,(November 2011), to review, revise and complete Service Provider Guidelines	September to November 2011
Email to Linda Calbick, Manager, Injury Technical and Program Support, from Salim Janmohamed on behalf of occupational therapy service providers, requesting an audience with a rate decision maker in upcoming ICBC/CAOT BC business meeting	February 6, 2012
Face-to-face meeting between CAOT-BC Business Relations Advisory Committee and ICBC – attendees included Giovanna Boniface, Managing Director, CAOT-BC; Salim Janmohamed, BRAC member; Lindsey Townsend, BRAC member; Ricardo Nuno, BRAC member; Pamela Russell, BRAC member; Abdollah Rezazadeh, BRAC member; Larry Nelson, ICBC Manager Rehabilitation Department; Linda Calbick, ICBC Manager, Injury Technical and Program Support; Sheryl Kozyniak, Manager, Claims Stakeholder Services and Edna Ticzon (administrative support). Discussion of occupational therapy rates and compensation was one item on the meeting agenda, however, no resolution was provided at that time.	February 21, 2012
Telephone conversation between Giovanna Boniface (Managing Director, CAOT-BC) and Linda Calbick (ICBC). Request for status update on OT rate increase. Linda advised that a compensation plan was prepared by Cheryl Kozniak (ICBC) and that it would go to an executive committee. Prior to this, the plan would have to be reviewed by Rob Wilson. Giovanna advised that CAOT-BC would be submitting letters of complaint about this issue to the BC Ombudsman as well as ICBC (ICBC Fairness Commissioner-Mr. Peter Burns, ICBC Executive Committee President & CEO- Mr. John Schubert and ICBC Executive Committee Vice President, Corporate Communications and Stakeholder Engagement)	May 30, 2012

Outcome we are seeking

Occupational therapy services providers are requesting that ICBC fulfill its promise of a rate increase dating back to August 1, 2011 and address the issue of compensation as per many requests dating back 2 years. 

CAOT-BC wishes to continue our positive relationship with ICBC and continues to offer its support to facilitate this outcome. I invite you to meet to discuss this in more detail.  

 Sincerely,

Giovanna Boniface, OT

Managing Director of CAOT-BC

cc: Peter Burns, Q.C, ICBC Fairness Commissioner- PO Box 86686, North Vancouver, BC, V7L 4L2

      John Schubert, President & CEO, ICBC Executive Committee- 151 W. Esplanade, North      
     Vancouver, BC, V7M 3H9
      Steve Crombie, Vice President, Corporate Communications and Stakeholder Engagement,
      ICBC Executive Committee-151 W. Esplanade, North Vancouver, BC, V7M 3H9