Direct Access to Occupational Therapists

Nova Scotians now have direct access to occupational therapists, a result of legislation passed during the last sitting of the House of Assembly.

The Occupational Therapists Act was amended in November 1998 to allow clients to have access to occupational therapists without a referral from physicians. The change is effective today.

"We believe the change benefits the public," said Health Minister Jim Smith. "It reduces delays in seeing occupational therapists and offers an alternative access point into the health care system."

The Medical Society of Nova Scotia supported the change. It follows a similar amendment to the Physiotherapy Act that came into effect last month. That amendment gave Nova Scotians access to physiotherapists without a doctor's referral.