Osteopathic Manual Practitioners in Ontario Should Be Considered an Essential Service!

Osteopathic Manual Practitioners in Ontario Should Be Considered an Essential Service!

Started
January 9, 2021
Petition to
Ministry of Health; Government Officials
Signatures: 27,244Next Goal: 35,000
Support now

Why this petition matters

Started by Ontario Association of Osteopathic Manual Practitioners (OAO)

Osteopathic Manual Practitioners are healthcare professionals who work hard to encourage optimal healing, recovery, and rehabilitation. The practice of osteopathy relies on skilled manual, non-invasive therapeutic techniques to assess and treat numerous conditions commonly presented in healthcare clinics. Osteopathic Manual Practitioners have extensive education and clinical training, and often work closely with medical doctors and other healthcare professionals to provide a multidisciplinary approach to patient care. Most importantly, Osteopathic Manual Practitioners work closely with and are relied upon by their patients to help improve their functional abilities as they heal from illness, disease, injury, or long periods of inactivity. 
 
During the current lockdown in Ontario, Osteopathic Manual Practitioners (OMPs) are not permitted to provide the important care and treatment their patients require, many of whom require manual osteopathy to alleviate pain and other life-altering symptoms that impact their daily lives. 
 
OMPs respect the Government’s efforts to prevent the spread of COVID-19 and throughout the pandemic have adhered to public health safety measures in their practices. However, OMPs and their patients do not understand why other similar health professionals such as massage therapists, chiropractors and kinesiologists are allowed to treat patients at this time while OMPs cannot. 
 
The purpose of this petition is to underline the essential role that OMPs play in patient care, reaffirm their commitment to following the most rigorous safety guidelines and protocols, and call for the current order to be amended so that Osteopathic Manual Practitioners can resume their practice.  
 
It is worthy to note that the provincial governments of Manitoba and Quebec have included Osteopathic Manual Practitioners in the legislation that permits them to continue to work during the lockdown. Unfortunately, in Ontario, OMPs have fallen through the cracks.  
 
We urge you to add your voice as a signatory to this petition TODAY whether you are an Osteopathic Manual Practitioner, an allied health professional, a patient who is no longer able to access treatment, or a concerned citizen who appreciates the need for those who are suffering to be able to receive care. Please let’s make this issue known so that the Osteopathic Manual Practitioners of Ontario can return to providing in-person services and attend to the healthcare needs of their patients as soon as possible.    
 
Please share this petition with others who may be interested.

Support now
Signatures: 27,244Next Goal: 35,000
Support now
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Decision Makers

  • Ministry of Health; Government Officials