Mandatory Reporting - Employers & Facilities

See and complete the Mandatory Report Form to file a report with CASLPO.

The Regulated Health Professions Act, 1991 (“RHPA”), requires employers and facilities that employ CASLPO registrants to file a written report (referred to as a “mandatory report”) with the College of Audiologists and Speech-Language Pathologists of Ontario in the event that:

• A person who operates a facility where one of more registrant practises has reasonable grounds to believe that an audiologist (AUD) or speech-language pathologist (SLP) has sexually abused a patient, is incompetent or is incapacitated.
• (See CASLPO’s Sexual Abuse Prevention Program for more information).
• The employment of an AUD or SLP has been terminated or privileges have been revoked/suspended/imposed for reasons of professional misconduct, incompetence or incapacity.
• An employer has reasonable grounds to believe that an AUD or SLP has resigned or voluntarily relinquished or limited their practice due to professional misconduct, incompetence or incapacity.
• The employer has reasonable grounds to believe the Registrant has resigned or voluntarily relinquished or restricted his or her privileges during an investigation (or as a result of) relating to concerns involving professional misconduct, incompetence or incapacity.
• A partnership, corporation or association with an AUD or SLP is dissolved for reasons related to professional misconduct, incompetence or incapacity.

"Incompetence" occurs when an AUD or SLP’s professional care of a patient displays a lack of knowledge, skill or judgment of a nature or to an extent that demonstrates that the AUD or SLP is unfit to continue to practise or their practice should be restricted.

"Incapacity" occurs is when an AUD or SLP is suffering from a physical or mental condition or disorder that impairs their ability to practice safely.

How To Make A Mandatory Report

The written report must contain:

1. your name and contact information,
2. name of the AUD or SLP;
3. the details and circumstances that have lead to the report (including the names of relevant witnesses); and
4. if relevant, the name of any related patient(s) (note: must obtain consent when reporting sexual abuse).

To assist in making a report, please complete the Mandatory Report – Form.

A report can be sent to the College via email, mail or fax to the Registrar/Director of Professional Conduct. You are encouraged to provide copies of relevant documents.

Registrar/Director of Professional Conduct & General Counsel
College of Audiologists and Speech-Language Pathologists of Ontario
5060-3080 Yonge Street, Toronto, ON M4N 3N1

Email: [email protected]
Fax: 416-975-8394

Employers or facilities may need to file reports with multiple parties, including insurance providers, or the Ministry of Long-Term Care. Please note reports must be sent individually to each party.

Failure to make a mandatory report by an individual can result in a fine of up to $25,000 for a first offence and up to $50,000 for any subsequent offence upon conviction For corporations, convictions for failure to report can result in a fine of up to $50,000 for a first offence and up to $200,000 for any subsequent offences.

Use of Information & Next Steps

The College will review the report submitted and may undertake any of the following:

• contact you for additional information or clarification;
• conduct interviews with witnesses and relevant parties;
• collect patient records or information; and/or
• appoint an investigator.

Importance Of Mandatory Reporting

Mandatory reports about AUDs and SLPs are an important legal mechanism to ensure that the College can address potential risks to the public. These reports permit the College to investigate the concerns and take appropriate action. This is a critical College function in keeping with its public protection mandate.

The RHPA gives immunity to people who file mandatory reports if the report is made in good faith, that is, not made maliciously.

30 Days To Make A Mandatory Report

If any of the above situations have taken place, employers, facilities or business partners have 30 days to make a mandatory report to the College. The report must be made even if an AUD or SLP resigned before the termination or suspension took place.

Questions?

Please contact the Director of Professional Conduct & General Counsel by telephone, email or mail at:

The Director of Professional Conduct & General Counsel
College of Audiologists and Speech-Language Pathologists of Ontario
5060-3080 Yonge Street, Toronto, ON M4N 3N1

Telephone: 416.975.5347 or 1.800.993.9459 ext. 221  
Email: [email protected]