New bill may affect physician record keeping

Issue: BCMJ, vol. 54, No. 5, June 2012, Page 252 News

On 16 April the provincial government introduced Bill 34, the Limitation Act. This act changes the limitation period for civil lawsuits in the province. While the changes to the limitation period for physicians will be subtle, the primary impact will likely be felt in the area of record keeping. It is expected that physicians will need to keep patient records for longer than the current requirement of 7 years.

The BCMA was consulted twice in the last 5 years regarding these changes, and each time advocated to maintain the current limits; however, the government went ahead with these changes to match the limits that exist in Ontario and several other provinces. The changes are prospective, and more details will emerge as the College of Physicians and Surgeons of BC updates their policies. 

The BCMA will update members as more information becomes available. Bill 34 can be viewed on the BC Legislative Assembly website at www.leg.bc.ca/39th4th/votes/progress-of-bills.htm.

. New bill may affect physician record keeping. BCMJ, Vol. 54, No. 5, June, 2012, Page(s) 252 - News.


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