Overview

Licences are issued under the authority of the Integrated Community Health Services Centres Act, 2023 (ICHSCA) along with specific services being outlined in the Conditions and Limitations of each licence. Most licences are issued for a term of no more than 5 years, unless otherwise prescribed.

Licences can be renewed, subject to the approval of the Director of Integrated Community Health Services Centres (Director), and subject to compliance with any conditions or requirements such as complying with the quality assurance program. The Director may impose additional Conditions and Limitations on the licence at any time.

Transferred licences are licensed for the remainder of the term of the original licence.

The licensee of a community surgical and diagnostic centre may be either an individual or a corporation. Licensees do not have to be a registered physician or technician; however, they will need to have qualified providers in good standing with their respective colleges or governing bodies. In addition, licensees are required to appoint a quality assurance advisor as well as an advisory committee.

Funding

Licensed centres are funded by the Ministry of Health in support of OHIP-insured services provided to residents of Ontario. Most centres are paid on a “fee-for-service” basis as set out in the Schedule of Facility Costs, while other centres receive funding through transfer payment  agreements.

The ICHSCA requires licensees to post pricing information on the uninsured services offered by the centre both on the centre’s website, if any, and at a visible place within the centre. Centres are required to post:

  • a full list of prices for all uninsured services offered by the centre
  • the process for obtaining patient consent in connection with those uninsured services

Transfer

A licence is not transferable without the approval of the Director, pursuant to section 11 of the ICHSCA.

Transferred licences are licensed for the remainder of the term of the original licence.

In the event that the proposed transferee intends to relocate the centre or have the licence amended in any way, the proposed transferee should contact the Integrated Community Health Services Centres Program for further information regarding applicable ministry policies and the appropriate application process.

For more information, please consult the Licence Transfer Application.

Amalgamation and share transfer

A corporate licensee has a duty to notify the Director under the ICHSCA and may have a corresponding obligation to seek prior approval from the Director under its Conditions and Limitations of the licence in the event of an acquisition of control or change in interest affecting the control of the corporation.

Proposed amalgamations or share transfers must therefore be submitted for prior approval from the Director.

The information submitted about the proposed share transfer should reflect what the intended corporate structure will be, not the current corporate structure.

To receive a copy of this form, please send an email to ICHSC@ontario.ca

Relocation

Each licence is specific to the civic address, including suite number, that is stated on the licence. There is a relocation approval process available which involves a relocation application and requires the prior approval of the Director, pursuant to section 10 of the ICHSCA.

For more information, please see page 7 of the application form.

Expansion

It is possible to add new services to a licence with the approval of the Director.

The Director will consider approving a licensed ICHSC’s application to add new services where:

  • there is evidence of an existing unmet need in the relevant catchment zone
  • there are no outstanding or unresolved quality assurance issues relating to the provision of currently licensed services at the ICHSC for which expansion is proposed

Only the current licensee (either a person or corporation) is eligible to submit an expansion application.

For more information, please see page 2 of the application form.

To receive a copy of this form, please send an email to ICHSC@ontario.ca.

Licensing action

A licence may be amended (to eliminate a service, for example), suspended or revoked by the Director, based on considerations set out in the ICHSCA, such as:

  • failing to comply with the Act or regulations
  • operating in a manner that poses a risk of serious harm to a person’s health and safety
  • contravening a condition or limitation of the licence
  • dishonesty
  • discontinued operation

Please review the ICHSCA for a complete list of considerations.

A decision of the Director to amend, suspend or revoke a licence is effective immediately upon being served notice unless a different date is set out in the decision.

The Director also has the authority to remove services from a licence at the direction of the Minister.