Scope of Practice During COVID-19

In this state of emergency, physicians may be asked by their Health Authority to contribute to the pandemic response in ways outside their normal scope of practice.

To support the pandemic response and the physician deployment plans of the Health Authorities, the College will not hold deployed physicians to practice within a scope strictly consistent with recent training and experience. 

This approach applies to:

• Physicians privileged and working within the NSHA and IWK (inpatient or outpatient settings); and
• Physicians within COVID-19 assessment centres, engaged in activities as deployed by the health authorities.

To restate: if you are deployed by your Health Authority to work outside your normal scope of practice, be advised you will not face disciplinary measures from the College.

These are uncertain and stressful times, with physicians raising their hands to help wherever needed.
Thank you for doing so.

Dr. D.A. (Gus) Grant
Registrar and CEO, College of Physicians & Surgeons of Nova Scotia