Mandatory Reports
Mandatory reporting protects the public by enabling investigation of possible professional misconduct, incompetence, or incapacity.
Under the Regulated Health Professions Act, 1991(RHPA) and the Health Professions Procedural Code (HPPC), naturopaths, employers, and facility operators have legal reporting obligations to the College. Registrants must also report certain privacy breaches to the Information and Privacy Commissioner of Ontario.
These requirements ensure the College receives information about potential risks to safe practice. Reporting is a public protection duty.
What Must Be Reported
Mandatory reports fall into the following categories:
- Self-Reporting – Include but not limited to findings, charges, or proceedings involving the Registrant. Learn more.
- Child Abuse – Suspected child abuse or neglect. Learn more.
- Reporting of Diseases – Designated or reportable diseases to public health authorities. Learn More.
- Privacy Breaches – Certain patient privacy breaches to the Information and Privacy Commissioner of Ontario and, where required, to the College. For details on reportable breaches and the Privacy Breach Report Form, click here.
- Risk of Self-Harm, Harm to Others or Sexual Abuse – Situations where there is a serious risk to patient or public safety including suspected sexual abuse by a naturopathic doctor or Registrant of another college.
When to Report
Reports must be made:
- At the time of application (if applicable), or within required statutory timelines
- Immediately where there is a risk of harm
- As soon as reasonably possible for privacy breaches
Registrants are responsible for understanding the specific timelines that apply to each type of report. See the Mandatory Reporting Requirements for more information.
Failure to Report
Failure to make a required report is professional misconduct and may result in an investigation.
Under section 93 of the Health Professions Procedural Code, failing to report as a Registrant, employer, or facility operator is also an offence, punishable by a fine of up to $25,000 for a first offence.
Anyone who makes a report in good faith under the HPPC is protected from legal action, even if the report is later found to be unfounded.