The College of Massage Therapists of Newfoundland and Labrador (CMTNL) has concerns regarding the recent amendments to the NL Automobile Insurance Act, particularly the changes related to diagnostic and treatment protocols regulations (DPTR). These amendments may unintentionally limit both client autonomy in care and the professional autonomy of our healthcare providers. A link to the amendments of the NL Automobile Insurance Act can be found below: 

Automobile Accident Diagnostic and Treatment Protocols Regulations (an amendment to NL Automobile Insurance Act; pp 357-382, The Newfoundland Gazette) 

Attached for review is a copy of the Letter of Concern that the CMTNL has prepared to send to the government of Newfoundland and Labrador, more specifically, Honourable John Hogan, K.C., E.C.N.L., Minister of Health and Community Services, and Honourable Elvis Loveless, E.C.N.L., Minister of Digital Government and Service NL.  

Government Letter of Concern Re: Amendments to NL Automobile Insurance Act 

A second Letter of Concern is also attached for review, intended to inform the public of these concerns. 

Public Letter of Concern Re: Amendments to NL Automobile Insurance Act 

The College invites all members of the public, including clients, to join us in voicing these concerns and advocating for the necessary changes that will benefit our community. Members of the public may address their concerns in the following ways: 

• Send any concerns or questions you may have to the College via email at communications@cmtnl.ca.  
• Connect with your local provincial government representative to voice your concerns about the limitations on your autonomy as a client and your right to make an informed choice regarding your treatment. (You can find the list of members here: [House of Assembly – NL – Members]. 
• Begin a dialogue with your automobile insurance provider about these amendments to gain a better understanding of the MVA protocols. 

The College encourages members (RMTs) to consider the following actions to address these concerns: 

• Seek the support and guidance of your professional association (NLMTA) as an advocate to help voice concerns of the implications of these diagnostic and treatment protocols, ensuring that both client and provider autonomy are respected. 

• Communicate with the College (CMTNL) directly, should you have concerns or questions on how to implement these new protocols into your clinical practice while still upholding the massage therapy practice standards involving assessment and treatment plan development. 

Good afternoon everyone

The CMTNL 2023-2024 Annual General Meeting (AGM) will be held in-person only, with a recorded version available online at a later date. The AGM is open to all members of the general public along with the College’s registered massage therapist members.

Here is the link to the AGM Registration Form and brief CMTNL Member Survey. 

CMTNL Annual General Meeting Registration Form and Survey

Completion of the Registration Form and Survey will allow for:

• Confirmation of attendance by both members of the public and College members.
• Opportunity to relay questions and concerns regarding CMTNL operations.
• Requests for special accommodations during the AGM, if needed.
• Data collection on the practice settings and years experience of members.
• Data collection on the modalities used within member’s practice settings.
• Data collection on the current 3-year Continuing Education (CE) cycle.

The data obtained within the survey portion of the form will aid the CMTNL in a productive setting at the upcoming AGM. Your input regarding RMT/Clinical Practices and Continuing Education will aid in the future endeavors by the CMTNL in Continuing Education development.

The CMTNL is requesting that all members (both active and inactive) complete the CMTNL Annual General Meeting Registration Form and Survey, even if you do not plan to attend the AGM in person, so that you may still participate in the survey portion of the form to aid in ample and adequate data collection of the membership.

AGM Location: Emera Innovation Exchange, 100 Signal Hill Road, St. John’s, NL, A1A 1B3.
AGM Date: Sunday, November 17th, 2024
AGM Time: 1:00pm – 2:30pm

Deadline to complete the CMTNL Annual General Meeting Registration Form and Survey is October 25th, 2024. 

The link for the Annual Report is here: CMTNL Annual Report 2023-2024

 

Our online renewal application has been updated with the correct information regarding vulnerable sector check and late fee.   

A late fee of $25 will be charged for any registration renewal application received between March 16th, 2024 – March 31st, 2024

A vulnerable sector check dated within the last year must be submitted.  

NL Health Services Provides Update on Masking Requirements

Public Service AnnouncementsProvincial

Posted: February 1, 2024

Newfoundland and Labrador (NL) Health Services advises the public that masking is temporarily required in all clinical areas in hospitals and health-care facilities, including congregate living and long-term care facilities, effective Monday, February 5, 2024 at 8:00 a.m. Updated masking requirements in clinical areas apply to visitors/support persons, clients, patients (outpatient clinics and emergency departments) and health-care workers.

With health-care facilities seeing an increase in respiratory illness, these updated masking requirements are to help reduce the spread of infection. NL Health Services will continue to monitor epidemiology, hospitalizations and outbreaks and masking guidelines will be re-evaluated March 31, 2024.

The public is also reminded that self-screening for COVID-19/respiratory illness remains in effect and physical distancing is encouraged to the greatest extent possible.

Masking

• Visitors/support persons, clients and patients (outpatient clinics and emergency departments) are required to wear a well-fitted medical mask in all clinical areas, including in waiting areas for health-care services/appointments, clinical care/treatment areas and while visiting patients and long-term care residents. These requirements do not apply to patients admitted to hospital or long-term care residents.
• Reminder: Individuals who are seeking or receiving health-care services who are symptomatic (i.e. experiencing any one or more symptoms of COVID-19 or respiratory symptoms) are required to wear a mask upon entry and at all times while inside the health-care facility. Visitors/support persons who are feeling unwell or sick should not visit patients/residents or accompany others to appointments.
• Masks are available at health-care facilities across the province. Individuals can wear their own medical mask or a mask provided at the health-care facility. Cloth masks and masks with exhalation valves are not permitted.

Self-screening for COVID-19/respiratory illness

• Visitors/support persons should not visit a health-care facility if they feel ill or are experiencing COVID-19, flu-like or gastrointestinal symptoms.
• Visitors/support persons are directed to follow signage at health-care facilities and meet the self-screening requirements before proceeding inside the health-care facility. In addition, visitors/support persons can complete self-screening prior to arrival at the facility by visiting the webpage for your zone: Central, Eastern, Labrador-Grenfell and Western.

NL Health Services thanks the public for their co-operation. These precautions are designed to help keep patients, clients, long-term care residents, visitors, staff and physicians safe and help in the prevention and spread of infection.