Complaints
Protecting the Public
The Board of the Nova Scotia College of Chiropractic (NSCC) takes the responsibility of protecting and serving the public very seriously. We are committed to maintaining a high standard of quality, professional conduct and competency in the practice of chiropractic.
Registering a Complaint
By law, Chiropractic is a self-regulating profession in Nova Scotia. The Nova Scotia Board of Chiropractors is the body responsible for regulating the Nova Scotia chiropractic profession, and Chiropractors in Nova Scotia. The Board consists of both registered chiropractors and members of the public. Its primary responsibility is setting and enforcing standards to ensure public safety. It also administers provincial exams, issues licenses, and maintains a registry of all those who practice the profession in the province. The Chiropractic Act was last updated in the provincial legislature in the year 2000.
We work to ensure a high level of care is delivered by all chiropractors in our jurisdiction. However, despite all the regulations placed on Chiropractors for license to practice, concerns may arise in relation to any area of public conduct. If this is the case, we hope you feel that you can discuss the matter with your Chiropractor in an open and forthright manner. Advising your Chiropractor of your concerns may help to resolve the issue and increase your satisfaction with subsequent care.
However; if the issue cannot be resolved through discussion, or if you feel discussion is not appropriate, you may bring your concern to the Registrar of the Board of the NSCC. If you have a concern, you may phone the NSCC to discuss the matter or write a letter outlining your concerns. The Registrar is available as a resource to assist you in determining what options you may wish to consider.
You also have the right to file a formal complaint. A formal complaint needs to be submitted to the Registrar of the NSCC. This may be done verbally or in writing. We suggest you keep a copy of the complaint for your records.
Upon receipt of a formal complaint, the registrar will forward all information to the investigative Committee. The Investigative Committee will collect and weigh all information within the parameters outlined in the Chiropractic Act. Complaints may be resolved at this level or forwarded for a full Hearing to consider. Correspondence and communication regarding complaints should be conducted within a reasonable time frame. The complainant will be notified if any further information is required for their complaint and of any decision regarding the complaint.
The investigation and discipline process of the NSCC is not a court of law. In filing a complaint, you are asking the NSCC to investigate the care and/or professional behavior provided by a Chiropractor. It can not find a chiropractor guilty of negligence and/or order the chiropractor to pay the patient financial compensation. Findings in a complaints process can result in penalties that range from cautionary warnings to removal of license privileges. Also, a complaint is not actionable. This means that you cannot be sued for what you state in a complaint, as long as it has been directed only to the Registrar of the NSCC.
If you need additional information about making a compliant or the complaint’s process, please contact the Registrar of the NSCC.
The Registrar can be reached at inquiries@chiropractors.ns.ca or by mail at:
The Registrar
c/o Nova Scotia College of Chiropractic
PO Box 9410 Station A
Halifax, Nova Scotia B3K 5S3
Phone: (902) 425-2445
Fax: (902) 425-2441