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Consultation 2026: POLICY - Ending the Patient-Registrant Relationship

CONSULTATION SURVEY


Introduction

The Council of the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Saskatchewan (CPSS) has approved changes in principle to the policy currently called Ending a Patient-Physician Relationship.

The proposed redraft was developed by a committee of the Council. Among the changes from the existing policy in the proposed redraft are the following:

  1. The name of the policy will be changed from Ending a Patient-Physician Relationship to Ending a Patient-Registrant Relationship. That recognizes that CPSS no longer only regulates physicians.
  2. The policy will clarify what registrant-patient relationships are subject to the policy.
  3. The policy will contain an expectation that registrants will usually attempt to resolve issues with a patient before terminating the relationship.
  4. The policy will contain a section addressing terminating a patient relationship if the patient has complex needs.
  5. The policy will contain a section addressing terminating a patient relationship if the patient has filed a complaint with CPSS or the Saskatchewan Health Authority.
  6. The policy will contain a section addressing terminating a patient relationship if the patient fails to respect physician boundaries.
  7. The policy will contain a section addressing terminating a patient relationship if the patient or someone closely associated with the patient has been abusive.
  8. The policy will contain a section clarifying how to approach a patient who has not paid fees for missed appointments, etc.
  9. The policy will contain a section addressing expectations if a registrant is reducing their practice.
Background

College policies and guidelines are subject to sunset review. The current policy came up for sunset review and the Council appointed a committee to review the existing policy and provide recommendations to Council. The committee reviewed similar policies from other Canadian Colleges of Physicians and Surgeons and identified improvements that could be made to the existing policy.

The proposed redraft was approved at the September 2026 Council meeting.

The documents which the Council reviewed when it approved the redraft of the policy in principle, Info 92_26 and Info 119_26, can be obtained by requesting them from communications@cps.sk.ca.

Consultation Request

The Council would like to hear from you. It anticipates that it will consider feedback from stakeholders, including members of the profession, at its meeting on Friday, February 5, 2027.

If you have concerns with the proposed redraft of the policy, it would be helpful if you explain the reasons for those concerns.
How to Respond


In order for the College to consider feedback and correlate feedback for the Council in time for the next Council meeting, all feedback should be provided to the College no later than Monday, January 4, 2027.
Click on the links below to see the proposed Policy:


Complete the survey below. Alternatively, feedback can be provided to communications@cps.sk.ca.