We are lawyers for respiratory therapists who face complaints, investigations, and disciplinary proceedings at the College of Respiratory Therapists of Ontario (“CRTO”).
How We Assist Respiratory Therapists
Our team of defence lawyers will assist respiratory therapists on the following regulatory issues:
- Advising on compliance with the Regulated Health Professions Act, the Respiratory Therapy Act, 1991, and the CRTO’s Standards of Practice and Professional Practice Guidelines;
- Assisting respiratory therapists with CRTO registration applications;
- Responding to various inquiries at the College of Respiratory Therapists of Ontario, including drafting responses to patient complaints at the CRTO, which are reviewed by the Inquiries, Complaints, and Reports Committee (“ICRC”);
- Defending respiratory therapists at CRTO discipline hearings;
- Representing respiratory therapists in CRTO appeals before the Health Professions Appeal and Review Board (“HPARB”) (e.g. where a decision of the ICRC has been made);
- Assisting with CRTO fitness to practice matters;
- Reporting past history, including criminal charges and findings of guilt, to the College of Respiratory Therapists of Ontario; and
- Advising respiratory therapists on other practice issues that may arise, including quality assurance, employment and contractual issues, unauthorized practice, and privacy and confidentiality.
Articles
Reviewing Decisions of the College of Respiratory Therapists of Ontario at the Health Professions Appeal and Review Board (HPARB)
The Inquiries, Complaints, and Reports Committee (“ICRC”) of the College of Respiratory Therapists of Ontario (“CRTO”) is responsible for dealing with formal complaints against respiratory therapists. While the process may end with the ICRC’s decision, respiratory therapists and complainants may both request a review before the Health Professions Appeal and Review Board (“HPARB”). Based on our experience at HPARB proceedings, here is a brief overview of the review process. The HPARB is an independent adjudicative agency that is responsible for reviewing the decisions of all regulated health colleges, including the CRTO. HPARB Board members are appointed by the Lieutenant Governor-in-Council. While panels of the ICRC must include respiratory therapists, members of the CRTO cannot be HPARB members. HPARB members are often, though not necessarily, lawyers. After receiving the ICRC’s decision and reasons, respiratory therapists and complainants will typically have 30 days to make a written request for a review. The HPARB will review final dispositions only, and will not address interim orders, or referrals for discipline or health inquiries. It may not proceed with requests it deems frivolous, vexatious, made in bad faith, or otherwise an abuse of process. A review before the HPARB will not proceed if a respiratory [...]
Responding to Complaints at the College of Respiratory Therapists of Ontario
Respiratory therapists may become subject to complaints, which can result in professional consequences at the College of Respiratory Therapists of Ontario (“CRTO”). To assist with this stressful situation, we have prepared this overview for responding to complaints.