The College of Physicians and Surgeons of Manitoba (CPSM) has now approved updated collaborative care standards, with an effective date of June 1, 2026.

• Final decision: CPSM Council approved the revised standards following consultation earlier this year. 
• Scope: The update introduces three standards covering collaborative care, non-emergent consults, and urgent/​emergent requests. (See our summary of the proposed standards from earlier this year). 
• Bottom line: Expectations around closed-loop communication, coordination, and accountability are becoming more explicit. 

What’s new: CPSM is signaling a supportive rollout of the standard, with an education and improvement focus: 

• “CPSM recognizes the importance of implementing the standard with educational resources and support,” explained Dr. Ainslie Mihalchuk, Registrar and CEO of CPSM. ​“Context guidance will be provided to help you put the standard into practice. Following a phasing-in period, additional resources highlighting best practices from physicians setting the benchmark and how they are addressing challenges will be shared. Concerns raised will be addressed with a focus on education and quality improvement as outcomes rather than punitive measures.” 

Yes, but we recognize meeting the new standards, particularly a 14-day acknowledgement and decision on consultation requests, may feel challenging in today’s system. A physician shortage, lack of digital tools, and ineffective system coordination, already strain timely communication. 

How we’re helping: Doctors Manitoba is focused on practical support — now and long term. 

• Short-term: Working with CPSM to get clarity on how the changes affect both referring and consulting practices, and developing tools, tips, and guidance to help physician practices adapt workflows. 
• Long-term: Continuing advocacy through our Referral and Consultation Report to push for fundamental system fixes, including better digital infrastructure and coordinated processes. 
• Help available: our practice advice team is available to hear your ideas, concerns, and offer support as the changes are rolled out. 

📢 We need to hear from you. The standards set a higher bar for collaboration, and is intended to offer clarity based on physician and patient feedback. Your input will help shape the supports and system changes needed to make this work, both from Doctors Manitoba and CPSM. 

• Share what works: Effective ways you track referrals or manage incoming consults. 
• Flag challenges: Where expectations don’t match reality. 
• Send ideas: What would make collaboration easier and more efficient. 

Email us your feedback to practiceadvice@​doctorsmanitoba.​ca.