A Message to Members of the College of Psychologists – COVID-19 Pandemic
This is being sent in follow up to the email of March 13, 2020. The College is putting in place a number of measures in response to the COVID-19 pandemic in keeping with the recommendations of the local health authorities and offers the following guidelines to members.
1. Decisions regarding the provision of continued in-person service must be made by each practitioner.
The College recognizes that decisions regarding client care must be left to the professional judgment of members. The College expects members to maintain awareness of the day to day risk levels published by the experts and to comply with the advice of local health authorities. Members are in the best position to evaluate the immediate and ongoing needs of individual clients and should take the steps necessary to meet these while considering the safety and security of the clients, themselves and their staff. During this time, members may wish to consider whether there are telepsychology options which may be more appropriate. As the specifications for technology are constantly changing and evolving, the College cannot make specific recommendations for any particular tele/videoconferencing service. Members are reminded that regardless of the medium used for service delivery, members should ensure that the chosen service will protect the security and confidentiality of client personal health information.
2. The College has cancelled all in-person meetings until further notice.
Where possible, the College staff will be setting up virtual meetings as necessary.
3. College staff presentations, including the Barbara Wand Seminar in Ethics, Standards and Conduct, and all staff business travel are cancelled until further notice.
The College regrets that we are unable to continue to offer staff presentations to members, student and other groups at this time. Unfortunately, this includes the next Barbara Wand Seminar, which was being planned for Monday, May 4, 2020 in London. The College is reviewing the feasibility of offering an on-line only Seminar in the early fall.
4. The College office will be closed until further notice.
In order to continue to offer services, College staff will be working remotely. We apologize for any disruptions or delays this may cause. Arrangements are in place to continue to accept mail and courier packages, however we urge anyone sending material to the College to do so by email, if possible. Please click here for a list of departmental emails.
5. College staff receiving telephone messages
Some aspects of College staff telephone capacity may be affected. If you leave a telephone message for a staff member, please include your email address so you can be contacted this way, as they may not be able to return your call.
6. Quality Assurance in-person reviews/assessments suspended
The selection of members to participate in on-site Peer Assisted Reviews is suspended and those already scheduled will be postponed until further notice.
7. Practice Advisory Service Delays
The College is experiencing unprecedented demand for its Practice Advisory Service; some related to the current COVID-19 situation and some due to a general increase in members’ use of this service. While the College tries to respond to all inquiries in a timely fashion, please note that you may experience some delay at this time. We also encourage you to contact the service by email (practiceadvice@cpo.on.ca) as it may be difficult to respond to telephone inquiries at this time. If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to contact me. R. Morris, Ph.D., C.Psych.Registrar & Executive Director