Reporting Requirements for Nova Scotia Physicians

Guidelines Regarding Reporting Requirements for Nova Scotia Physicians

Preamble

Physicians are responsible to report in many clinical and professional situations. Listed below are hyperlinks to statutes that outline the physician’s responsibilities. This document does not represent a full list of information physicians may be expected to report in accordance with institutional, hospital policies or programs. Physicians are encouraged to seek independent legal advice if they find themselves in a situation of potential compromise.

Index of Relevant Legislation and Associated Sections

This policy applies to all physicians when accepting new patients at any point during their practice.

1. Reporting of Suspected Abuse – Adults
   1. Adult Protection Act, S.N.S. 1989, c.2
      • Section 5
      • Section 16
2. Reporting of Suspected Abuse – Children
   1. Child Pornography Reporting Act, S.N.S. 2008, c. 35
      • Sections 3 through 6
      • Section 8
   2. Children and Family Services Act, S.N.S. 1990, c.5
      • Section 23
      • Section 25
        Regulations
   3. Children and Family Services Regulations O.I.C. 95-517, N.S. Reg. 105/95
      • Section 45A
3. Reporting of Suspected Abuse – Persons in Care
   1. Protection for Persons in Care Act, S.N.S. 2004, c.33
      • Section 4: Subsection 2
      • Section 5
      • Section 6: Subsections 1 and 2
      • Sections 13 and 14
4. Reporting of Certain Causes of Death 
   1. Fatality Investigations Act, S.N.S. 2001, c.31
      • Section 5
      • Sections 9 through 12
5. Reporting of Death of Internees 
   1. Geneva Conventions Act, R.S.C. 1985
      • Schedule IV, Section III, Chapter XI: Article 129
6. Reporting to the Workers’ Compensation Board
   1. Workers’ Compensation Act, S.N.S. 1994-95, c.10
      • Sections 109 and 110
7. Reporting of Communicable Diseases
   1. Health Protection Act, S.N.S. 2004, c.4
      • Section 31: Subsections 1, 5 and 6
      • Section 34
      • Section 40
      • Section 42
        Regulations
   2. Communicable Diseases Regulations, N.S. Reg 196/2005
      • Section 10
   3. Reporting of Notifiable Diseases and Conditions Regulations, N.S. Reg. 195/2005
      • Sections 3 through 6
      • Section 9
   4. Reporting Requirements for HIV Positive Persons Regulations N.S. Reg 197/2005
      • Section 3
      • Sections 8 through 11
      • Section 14
8. Reporting of Narcotics
   1. Controlled Drugs and Substances Act S.C. 1996 c.19
      Regulations
   2. Benzodiazepines and Other Targeted Substances Regulations, S.O.R. / 2000-217
      • Section 7
      • Sections 60 and 61
   3. Narcotics Control Regulations C.R.C. c. 1041
      • Sections 54 and 55
9. Reporting of Gunshot Wounds 
   1. Gunshot Wounds Mandatory Reporting Act, S.N.S. 2007, c.30
      • Section 3
      • Section 5
10. Reporting for Statistical Purposes 
    1. Health Act, R.S.N.S. 1989, c. 195
       • Section 101
    2. Vital Statistics Act, R.S.N.S. 1989, c.494
       • Section 3
       • Section 12
       • Section 17
       • Section 35: Subsection 2
11. Reporting of Privacy Breach 
    1. Personal Health Information Act, S.N.S. 2010, c.41
       • Section 28
       • Sections 69 and 70
12. Reporting of Transportation Concerns 
    1. Aeronautics Act R.S.C., 1985, c. A-2
       • Section 6.5
    2. Canada Shipping Act, R.S.C. 2001, c.26
       • Section 90
    3. Merchant Seamen Compensation Act, R.S.C. 1985, c. M-6
       • Section 28: Subsection 2
    4. Motor Vehicle Act, R.S.N.S. 1989, c. 293
       • Section 279: Subsections 6 and 7
    5. Railway Safety Act, R.S.C. 1985, c. 32
       • Section 35: Subsections 2 and 5
13. Reporting on Administrative Matters
    1. Medical Act, S.N.S 2011, c.10
       • Section 68
    2. Medical Professionals Corporations Act, S.N.S. – 1995-1996, c.11
       • Section 8: Subsections 2 through 5
       • Section 9