Supervised consumption service provider licensing

Overview

Supervised consumption service providers must meet all applicable quality, safety and other requirements and be licensed under the Mental Health Services Protection Act and the Mental Health Services Protection Regulation. In addition, service providers must meet all applicable requirements under the Recovery-oriented Supervised Consumption Services Standards.

This regulatory framework provides provincial oversight and standardization for supervised consumption services in Alberta. This ensures better community safety, higher quality services and improved integration with the health-care system.

The framework:

• requires licensing
• ensures service providers meet quality standards such as policies and procedures for:
  • clinical practice standards
  • referral pathways to detox, treatment and recovery services as well as primary health-care services
  • safety and security
  • employee requirements, qualifications and training
  • client rights and expectations for clients (for example, washroom access)
  • needle distribution
  • needle debris mitigation
  • record creation, maintenance and retention
  • community engagement
  • facilities or other locations where services are offered or provided
  • the collection, use and disclosure of personal information and individually identifying health information
• gives government authority to address complaints and concerns and to amend, suspend or cancel a service provider's licence

Complaints or concerns

All licensed supervised consumption service providers in the province are required to have a complaint process.

If you have concerns about the services you or someone else is receiving from a supervised consumption service provider, contact the service provider first.

If your concern or complaint is still unresolved, contact us if it is about:

• requirements in the Mental Health Services Protection Act, Mental Health Services Protection Regulation, or Recovery-oriented Supervised Consumption Services Standards not being followed
• an unlicensed service provider providing supervised consumption services

Complaint resolution

When you contact Compliance and Monitoring:

• a complaints officer will collect the necessary details to follow up on your concern – have as much of the following information available as possible:
  • name and address (including municipality) of the facility or service provider
  • a brief summary of your concern or complaint and when it occurred
  • names, titles and contact numbers of people you have spoken to about your concern or complaint (for example, the manager, senior manager or board member) and their involvement in trying to resolve it
• we will assess the risks associated with your complaint, and may conduct an investigation or contact other relevant authorities, or both, as required
• you will receive a follow up letter with the outcome of your complaint
• we will make every effort to protect your identity
  • Personal and health information is managed in accordance with the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act and the Health Information Act.

Apply for a licence

If you plan to start offering or providing supervised consumption services, contact us to begin the licensing process.

If you disagree with a decision made by Compliance and Monitoring regarding a supervised consumption services provider licence, you may be able to appeal it. Appeals are managed by the Appeals Secretariat, a neutral government office that operates separately from Compliance and Monitoring.

Find out how to appeal

Forms, guides and templates

• The Recovery-oriented Supervised Consumption Services Standards will help you understand the licensing requirements.
• Complete the Supervised Consumption Services Provider Licence Application Form to apply for a licence.
• Use the Monthly Service Utilization Reporting Template to provide the required monthly reports on utilization, adverse drug reactions and referrals to treatment and recovery services and wrap-around services.

In addition to acquiring a provincial licence, service providers must also meet Health Canada requirements and maintain an appropriate exemption under the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act (Canada).

Find out more about Health Canada’s application process

Critical incident reporting and duty to notify

Licensed supervised consumption service providers are required to report to the Ministry of Mental Health and Addiction of critical incidents that have caused or threatens to cause serious injury or death. In addition, service providers have a duty to notify or report on situations that may jeopardize the service provider’s ability to provide services and/or situations that may be injurious to the safety or health of clients.

To report a critical incident or on a duty to notify, follow these steps:

1. Use the decision process document to determine if an incident is reportable and whether it is a critical incident or a duty to notify.
2. Download the Critical Incident Reporting and Duty to Notify Form.
3. Open the form from the download folder, complete the form, and save the form on your computer.
4. Open the following web portal and fill out the required information: Mental Health and Addiction – Submit Compliance and Monitoring Documents.
5. Upload the completed form on the portal and click Submit.

Contact

Connect with Compliance and Monitoring:

Hours: 8:15 am to 4:30 pm (open Monday to Friday, closed statutory holidays)
Phone: 780-427-8740 for questions about provider licensing
Phone: 780-422-4703 to speak with a complaints officer about concerns regarding services
Toll free: 310-0000 before the phone number (in Alberta)
Email: amh.cam@gov.ab.ca

Mailing address:
Alberta Mental Health and Addiction
Attn: Compliance and Monitoring Unit
Telus House, 13th floor
10020 100 Street NW
Edmonton, Alberta  T5J 0N3

Service providers may use the following web portal to submit documents related to critical incidents, duty to notify and licensing: Mental Health and Addiction – Submit Compliance and Monitoring Documents