NSRPT Strategic Plan 2026 - 2028
A Message from the Board Chair and Registrar
Section 1: Why does NSRPT exist?
Mandate and Objects of the Regulated Health Professions Act
1.1 - NSRPT’s Statutory Mandate
The Nova Scotia Regulator of Physiotherapy (NSRPT) exists to regulate the practice of physiotherapy in Nova Scotia in the public interest. NSRPT is a statutory regulatory body established under the Regulated Health Professions Act (RHPA) and is responsible for overseeing who may practice physiotherapy and under what conditions.
As a regulator, NSRPT does not advocate for the profession. Its role is to protect the public by ensuring that physiotherapy services are provided safely, competently, ethically, and in accordance with the law. All regulatory authority exercised by NSRPT flows from its legislative mandate.
1.2 - Objects of the Regulated Health Professions Act
Section 6 of the Regulated Health Professions Act sets out the objects of every regulatory body established under the Act. These objects define why NSRPT exists and what it must achieve in carrying out its mandate.
Under the Act, the objects of NSRPT are to:
- Protect the public from harm
- Serve and promote the public interest
- Subject to the public interest, preserve the integrity of the profession
- Maintain public confidence in the ability of the regulator to regulate the profession
These objects make clear that public protection and public confidence are paramount. The interests of the profession are recognized, but only to the extent that they align with — and do not override — the public interest.
1.3 - How NSRPT Fulfils Its Objects
The Act also establishes how NSRPT is to carry out its objects. In order to effectively protect the public and promote the public interest, NSRPT regulates the provision of physiotherapy services and governs its registrants through core regulatory functions, including:
- Registration and licensing of physiotherapists
- Establishment and promotion of standards of practice, competencies, and ethical expectations
- Oversight of continuing competence and quality assurance
- Fair, transparent, and proportionate processes for professional conduct, fitness to practice, and discipline
Together, these functions form a comprehensive regulatory system designed to prevent harm, identify and address risk, support safe practice, and hold registrants accountable when standards are not met.
1.4 - Accountability to the Public and the Minister
NSRPT is accountable to both the public and the Minister responsible for the administration of the Regulated Health Professions Act. This accountability is an essential component of public protection and regulatory legitimacy.
Accountability is demonstrated through transparent decision-making, clear communication, public reporting, and openness to scrutiny and review. NSRPT recognizes that maintaining public confidence requires not only effective regulation, but also the ability to explain and justify regulatory decisions and outcomes.
1.5 - What This Means for the Strategic Plan
This Strategic Plan exists to operationalize NSRPT’s statutory mandate and objects over the 2026–2028 period. It sets out how NSRPT will regulate in the public interest, where it will focus its efforts during this planning cycle, and how it will demonstrate that its work is contributing to public protection and public confidence.
Everything that follows — including the principles of regulation, strategic themes, priorities, and strategy map — flows directly from the objects of the Act and NSRPT’s responsibility to regulate physiotherapy in a manner that is fair, proportionate, transparent, and effective.
1.6 - NSRPT Vision and Mission
1.6.1 - Our Vision
A modern, transparent regulator that ensures safe, ethical, and competent physiotherapy in Nova Scotia.
1.6.2 - Our Mission
To deliver fair, transparent, and effective regulation; to seek out innovation in how we regulate; and to uphold the public interest with purpose, integrity, and care.
Section 2: How does NSRPT regulate?
Principles of Regulation and Strategic Themes
2.1 – NSRPT’s Regulatory Framework
2.1.1 – Regulatory Approach
NSRPT regulates physiotherapy in Nova Scotia to protect the public from harm. We focus our regulatory efforts where risk is highest and avoid unnecessary burden where risk is low.
We measure success by results, not volume. Effective regulation supports safe, competent, and ethical practice, addresses risk early, and maintains public confidence in regulation.
Regulation must adapt over time. NSRPT monitors changes in health care, professional practice, and public expectations and adjusts its approach as needed.
2.1.2 – Principles of Regulation
NSRPT’s work is guided by the principles of Right-touch Regulation, developed by the UK Professional Standards Authority for Health and Social Care. These principles describe what good regulation looks like and guide decisions across all areas of our work.
NSRPT is committed to regulation that is:
- Proportionate – acting only when needed and matching our response to risk
- Consistent – applying standards and decisions fairly in similar situations
- Targeted – focusing resources where they best protect the public
- Transparent – explaining decisions and requirements clearly
- Accountable – being open to review and able to justify our actions
- Agile – adapting to new risks, evidence, and changes in practice
These principles apply to all regulatory functions, including registration, standards, competence oversight, and professional conduct.
2.1.3 – Equity, Diversity, Inclusion, Reconciliation, and Accessibility (EDIRA)
Fair regulation requires attention to equity, diversity, inclusion, reconciliation, and accessibility. NSRPT applies these considerations across its regulatory work.
This includes designing clear and accessible processes, making fair and impartial decisions, and recognizing barriers that may affect how people experience regulation. Understanding these differences supports better regulatory outcomes and public trust.
EDIRA is part of how NSRPT regulates. It strengthens fairness, transparency, and confidence in regulatory decisions.
2.2 – Strategic Themes: NSRPT’s Regulatory Model
2.2.1 – Purpose of the Strategic Themes
The Strategic Themes explain how NSRPT applies its regulatory framework in practice. They provide a clear and consistent model for action across all regulatory functions.
The themes apply to all of NSRPT’s work and are enduring. Strategic priorities and initiatives are time-limited and are designed to advance one or more of these themes.
2.2.2 – Strategic Theme 1: Professional Excellence
Professional excellence supports public protection by ensuring that physiotherapists are competent, ethical, and accountable. Under this theme, NSRPT focuses on:
- Entry-to-practice requirements
- Ongoing competence and learning
- Standards of practice and ethics
Strong professional standards help prevent harm, support safe care, and preserve the integrity of the profession, subject to the public interest.
2.2.3 – Strategic Theme 2: Responsive Regulation
Responsive regulation means acting early and proportionately when risk is identified. Under this theme, NSRPT focuses on:
- Identifying and assessing public risk
- Matching regulatory responses to risk
- Adjusting approaches as evidence and circumstances change
This protects the public while avoiding unnecessary intervention.
2.2.4 – Strategic Theme 3: Trust and Accountability
Public trust depends on fair, transparent, and accountable regulation. Under this theme, NSRPT focuses on:
- Clear and understandable processes
- Fair and consistent decision-making
- Openness about how decisions are made and reviewed
This approach supports public confidence in physiotherapy regulation.
2.2.5 – How the Themes Work Together
The Strategic Themes work together as a single regulatory system. Professional excellence supports prevention. Trust and accountability support legitimacy and confidence. Responsive regulation ensures timely action when concerns arise.
Together, the themes provide a clear line of sight from NSRPT’s statutory mandate to its strategic priorities and public interest outcomes. They form the foundation for the Strategy Map.
Section 3: What matters most right now?
Strategic Priorities 2026 – 2028
3.1 – Purpose of the Strategic Priorities (2026–2028)
The Strategic Priorities identify where NSRPT will focus its attention and effort during the 2026–2028 planning period. They reflect current regulatory needs and areas of change, including the continued implementation of the Regulated Health Professions Act.
The Strategic Priorities are time-limited and sit beneath NSRPT’s Strategic Themes. They do not replace NSRPT’s statutory mandate or the full scope of its regulatory responsibilities. Instead, they highlight the areas where focused action is needed at this time to best protect the public and maintain public confidence in regulation.
As the regulatory environment evolves, NSRPT’s priorities may change. The Strategic Themes and regulatory framework remain constant, providing continuity and direction over time.
3.2 – Priority 1: Modernize Regulation under the RHPA
The Goal
Complete the transition to the Regulated Health Professions Act (RHPA) and put in place a modern, fair, and transparent regulatory framework.
What We Will Achieve
- Complete the transition of bylaws, standards, and policies to the RHPA, ensuring they are clear, accessible, and aligned with legislative requirements.
- Implement a modern digital system for registration and the public register to improve transparency and reduce administrative burden.
- Demonstrate compliance through the Regulator Quality Assurance Program (QAP), aligned with the UK Professional Standards Authority’s Right-touch Regulation principles.
- Strengthen governance and financial systems to meet the accountability expectations of a public regulator.
Why It Matters
Modernization supports effective, proportionate regulation. It strengthens transparency and accountability, builds public trust, and ensures NSRPT has the systems and frameworks needed to regulate in the public interest.
3.3 – Priority 2: Strengthen Public Protection through Competence and Accountability
The Goal
Ensure Nova Scotians receive safe, competent, and accountable physiotherapy care by supporting learning, fairness, and continuous improvement across the profession.
What We Will Achieve
- Implement and evaluate the continuing competence program under the RHPA, using evidence and feedback to support fairness and consistency.
- Expand risk-based practice reviews and feedback that focus on improvement rather than punishment, matching regulatory response to risk.
- Maintain fair, timely, and transparent processes for complaints, conduct, fitness to practice, and reinstatement to support accountability and public confidence.
- Use information from competence and conduct processes to identify trends, support improvement, and contribute to national discussions on physiotherapy practice and regulation.
- Publish clear, plain-language guidance to support safe, effective, and ethical physiotherapy practice.
Why It Matters
Public protection depends on regulation that supports competence and accountability. A learning-focused and proportionate approach helps prevent harm, supports improvement, and maintains trust in the profession.
3.4 – Priority 3: Advance Proportionate, Risk-Based Oversight
The Goal
Focus regulatory effort where public risk is highest and simplify processes for low-risk matters, so regulation remains fair, timely, and effective.
What We Will Achieve
- Apply risk-based and Right-touch principles across registration, competence, and conduct processes.
- Develop and refine a data-informed risk model to support consistent and proportionate regulatory decisions.
- Simplify or streamline processes for low-risk matters to reduce unnecessary burden.
- Review outcomes to ensure regulatory actions remain targeted and effective, and adjust approaches as evidence and public needs change.
Why It Matters
Risk-based oversight helps ensure that regulatory action matches the level of risk. This protects the public while reducing unnecessary impact on physiotherapists and the health system.
3.5 – Priority 4: Build Public Trust through Accountability and Transparency
The Goal
Strengthen public confidence in physiotherapy regulation through openness, clear results, and meaningful engagement with the public and stakeholders.
What We Will Achieve
- Publish annual public reports that clearly explain performance, trends, and learning.
- Communicate openly about registration, complaints, and quality assurance processes.
- Embed equity, diversity, inclusion, reconciliation, and accessibility (EDIRA) across all areas of NSRPT’s work.
- Publish the results of regulator quality assurance reviews.
Why It Matters
Public trust depends on regulation that is open and accountable. Clear communication and transparent decision-making strengthen confidence in NSRPT and support its public interest role.
3.6 – How the Strategic Priorities Advance the Strategic Themes
The Strategic Priorities for 2026–2028 are practical expressions of NSRPT’s Strategic Themes. Each priority supports one or more themes and focuses attention on areas where action is most needed during this planning period.
Modernizing regulation under the RHPA strengthens all three themes by supporting professional excellence, improving transparency and accountability, and enabling more responsive regulation. Priorities focused on competence, accountability, and risk-based oversight reinforce safe practice, early identification of risk, and fair, proportionate regulatory responses. Efforts to strengthen transparency and public reporting support trust and confidence in regulation.
Together, the Strategic Themes and Strategic Priorities provide a clear line of sight from NSRPT’s statutory mandate to its regulatory actions and public interest outcomes. This relationship is illustrated in the Strategy Map, which shows how regulatory work contributes to protecting the public and maintaining confidence in physiotherapy regulation.
Section 4: How does this create public value?
Strategy Map
4.1 – Purpose of the Strategy Map
The Strategy Map shows how NSRPT’s regulatory work creates public value. It explains how our mandate, regulatory approach, and strategic priorities connect to public interest outcomes.
The map presents regulation as a system. It shows how people, processes, and decisions work together to protect the public, support safe practice, and maintain confidence in physiotherapy regulation. The Strategy Map does not introduce new commitments. It summarizes how NSRPT delivers on its existing mandate in a clear and structured way.
4.2 – Who We Mean by “the Public”
For the purposes of this Strategic Plan and Strategy Map, “the public” includes individuals and communities who receive physiotherapy care, may receive care in the future, or are affected by physiotherapy services in Nova Scotia. NSRPT regulates physiotherapy on behalf of this broader public and in the public interest.
Some members of the public interact directly with NSRPT, such as people who make complaints, seek information, or take part in regulatory processes. This group does not represent the public as a whole. However, their experiences provide useful and observable information about trust, fairness, transparency, and clarity in regulation.
NSRPT uses this information, along with other system-level data and evidence, to support Board oversight of public value and public trust. These insights help inform improvement and ensure regulation remains fair, proportionate, and responsive.
4.3 – Public Interest Outcomes
At the top of the Strategy Map are the public interest outcomes NSRPT is responsible for achieving. These outcomes reflect the objects of the Regulated Health Professions Act and guide all regulatory activity. NSRPT’s core public interest outcomes are:
- Safe, competent, and ethical physiotherapy practice
- Public confidence in physiotherapy regulation
- Fair, proportionate, and transparent regulatory decisions
These outcomes describe what success looks like for the public. All regulatory work is directed toward supporting these outcomes.
4.4 – Regulatory Impacts
Regulatory impacts describe the observable effects of effective regulation. They sit between public interest outcomes and NSRPT’s core regulatory functions. Examples of regulatory impacts include:
- Early identification and management of public risk
- Clear and accessible regulatory processes
- Decisions that are consistent, defensible, and proportionate
- Learning from regulatory activity to improve future decisions
These impacts help make regulation visible and understandable to the public and support accountability and trust.
4.5 – Core Regulatory Functions
NSRPT delivers regulatory impacts through its core regulatory functions. These functions are set out in legislation and carried out across the full professional lifecycle. At a high level, NSRPT’s core regulatory functions include:
- Entry-to-practice and registration
- Standards of practice, competencies, and ethics
- Continuing competence and practice oversight
- Complaints, conduct, and fitness to practice processes
- Risk-based oversight and decision-making
These functions are integrated and mutually reinforcing. They are not separate activities, but parts of a single regulatory system.
4.6 – Enablers of Effective Regulation
Effective regulation depends on strong organizational foundations. These enablers support NSRPT’s ability to carry out its mandate and deliver public value. Key enablers include:
- Skilled staff, volunteers, and adjudicators
- Effective governance and statutory committee oversight
- Digital systems and data to support evidence-informed decisions
- Sound risk management and financial stewardship
- Regulatory quality assurance and external accountability
Enablers support the system as a whole. They are not outcomes themselves, but they make effective regulation possible.
4.7 – Strategic Themes as Lines of Sight
The Strategic Themes provide clear lines of sight through the Strategy Map. They run vertically across enablers, core functions, regulatory impacts, and public interest outcomes.
- Professional Excellence supports safe practice and prevention
- Trust and Accountability support fairness, transparency, and confidence
- Responsive Regulation supports timely and proportionate responses to risk
Together, the Strategic Themes help explain how NSRPT’s regulatory work connects its statutory mandate to real-world outcomes for the public. They provide a shared way for the Board, staff, and stakeholders to understand how regulation creates public value.
Section 5: How will progress be shown?
Commitment to Transparency and Public Accountability
5.1 – Commitment to Transparency and Public Accountability
NSRPT is committed to showing how its regulatory work is contributing to public protection and public confidence. Transparency and accountability are essential to maintaining trust in regulation.
Progress under this Strategic Plan will be communicated openly and in plain language. NSRPT will report on what it is learning, where it is improving, and how regulatory decisions and actions support the public interest.
5.2 – Public Reporting and Communication
NSRPT will provide regular public reporting on regulatory performance, trends, and learning. This includes publishing information that helps the public understand how physiotherapy is regulated and how concerns are identified and addressed.
Reporting will focus on outcomes and improvement, not just activity. Information will be presented in a way that is clear, accessible, and meaningful to the public and stakeholders.
5.3 – Oversight, Review, and Continuous Improvement
NSRPT’s Board oversees progress against this Strategic Plan and ensures that regulatory activities remain aligned with the public interest and the objects of the Regulated Health Professions Act.
NSRPT also participates in external quality assurance and review processes. These provide independent assurance, support learning, and help ensure that regulation remains fair, effective, and proportionate.
Insights from reporting, oversight, and review are used to inform improvement and guide future priorities.
5.4 – A Living Plan
This Strategic Plan sets direction for the 2026–2028 period, but regulation does not stand still. NSRPT will continue to monitor risk, evidence, and public expectations and adjust its approach as needed.
Progress, learning, and outcomes will be shared publicly as part of NSRPT’s ongoing commitment to transparency, accountability, and public trust.