CLEAR

President's Message by Rosemary McCool

CLEAR’s 29^th annual conference is only days away and I look forward to welcoming you to Denver. Four hundred of our colleagues will be in attendance, an increase on previous years, and a testament to the value of the event and the broader organization. A further one hundred and fifty attendees will participate in the various training programs  offered, while nearly thirty exhibitors will highlight resources to assist us as we carry out our vital mission of public protection. Outstanding learning and networking opportunities lie ahead, and I thank Program Committee co-chairs Caroline MacIsaac-Power and Nancy Swetnam, and all those committee members who have worked tirelessly to prepare another excellent conference. The Denver meeting marks the end of my year as CLEAR President and I would like to take a moment to look back on an extraordinary year of achievement and growth for the organization. The accompanying list of activities details the breadth of work being undertaken by CLEAR, but today I would like to draw your attention to several initiatives I consider particularly significant:
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Furloughs, pay reductions, widespread across US state agencies

A report from the National Conference of State Legislatures (NCSL) shows nineteen states have either reduced citizens' access to services or cut employees' pay, while twelve states have approved furloughs of more than ten days for employees. Numerous regulatory agencies are affected by both sets of restrictions as states address a projected shortfall for FY 2010 of $142.6 billion.

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Ohio: EMTs administering lethal injections not under board jurisdiction

The Ohio Emergency Medical Services Board does not have authority over medical technicians who administer the death penalty, according to an opinion cited by the board lawyer at its August 19 meeting.

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Far-reaching changes mooted for Oregon's Boards and Commissions

Oregon Governor Gov. Ted Kulongoski has asked legislators to consider eliminating or suspending a variety of regulatory boards, and to consolidate others into a central agency. According to reports the Board of Dietitians may be eliminated, while consideration is being given to the suspension of the Boards of Cosmetology, Massage Therapists, and Occupational Therapists.

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Australia: board appointed to oversee regulation of migration agents

An oversight Board has been appointed to oversee the work of Australia's Office of Migration Agents Registration Authority. Concerns about perceived professional misconduct and apparent conflicts of interest by practitioners prompted regulation, which commenced on July 1, 2009.

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New York State: mandatory flu vaccination for care givers

The New York Times reports that New York State's Department of Health has approved a regulation to require health care workers to be vaccinated against the H1N1 (swine flu) virus, as well as against seasonal flu. Vaccinations had previously been optional, and will be required for those who come into direct contact with patients (including both medical and non medical staff).

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UK report: physicians unlikely to self-report mental illness

A new report by the Royal College of Physicians suggests that only 13 percent of doctors would contact a fellow physician or another health professional if they developed a mental illness that required inpatient treatment. The survey of over 3,500 doctors suggests that concerns over the potential for damage to career and professional integrity, as well as stigma are the reasons for the figures.

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UK: consultation launched on regulating acupuncturists, herbal and traditional Chinese medicine providers

The United Kingdom Department of Health has launched A joint consultation on the Report to Ministers from the DH Steering Group on the Statutory Regulation of Practitioners of Acupuncture, Herbal Medicine, Traditional Chinese Medicine and Other Traditional Medicine Systems Practised in the UK.

The exercise will solicit responses from interested parties, with a closing date of November 2, 2009.

California agency reports 2 1/2 year average completion time for discipline cases; effect of furloughs raised

Discipline cases at California's Department of Consumer and Regulatory Affairs (DCA) took an average of two-and-a-half years to complete in 2008-9, according to an internal report produced by the state. DCA includes 19 health-related regulatory entities, including the Boards of Nursing, Medicine and Dentistry and has set a target completion range for discipline cases of 12 to 18 months. The findings have prompted a series of reforms, but have also raised questions about how much progress will be possible at at a time when state employees are required to take three unpaid furlough days during the current fiscal year.

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Distinct 'fitness to practice' route for NS lawyers?

The Lawyers Weekly suggests that impaired lawyers in Nova Scotia may be able to access a fitness to practice route, rather than the current discipline process, if amendments to the Legal Profession Act are approved by government. A draft fitness to practice model has been approved by the Nova Scotia Barristers' Society, which would establish a committee made up of health professionals and members of the legal profession.  The article suggests that if the legislation is approved, Nova Scotia would become the first province to implement such a route for lawyers.

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