More health workers in British Columbia have spoken out publicly and behind the scenes, confirming CTV News reports about allegations of repercussions for speaking out about patient care and workplace conditions, but the health minister did not respond to questions on the matter.
Doctors of British Columbia and the British Columbia Nurses Union have joined others in condemning efforts to silence questions, criticisms and complaints, whether recorded publicly or through internal channels within the public health system.
CTV News made multiple efforts to speak directly with the health minister to get him to address specific issues, including allegations of toxic workplaces, the unofficial labeling of some workers as “rioters” and allegations that some policies are “weaponized” against staff , to be punished for not toeing the party line.
Adrian Dix’s office claimed that despite a full day’s notice and an extension of the deadline for a response, he was unavailable, sending a lengthy written statement that reiterated previous talking points that there were “appropriate” channels for expression of concern and that whistleblower protection is in place for workers.
MORE EVIDENCE OF SCAMMING
Sources tell CTV News that raising concerns about staffing levels, quality of care and other issues has led to notices to workers for violating “respectful workplace policies” and that health authority lawyers have even stepped in.
The Canadian Medical Defense Association, which provides medico-legal advice to doctors, declined to comment on allegations that the policy is “weaponized” because it believes it “would be inappropriate to comment publicly on this matter that directly affects our physician members.”
Insiders also expressed frustration that health authority leaders and other experts in the public health system, who are ready and willing to deal with various problems, are almost absent from the public eye, despite requests from journalists for interviews, such as announcements and control of The situation is centralized with the Minister and Provincial Health Officer Dr. Bonnie Henry.
Notably, a government-commissioned “Review of Lessons Learned from COVID-19” cited government stakeholders as complaining that “there is strict central control of messaging, including actively discouraging any questioning or challenging the PHO.”
100% true. This has been a theme in almost every facility I’ve worked at in the last few months and it’s a *national* phenomenon. Do we have an ombudsman for health workers’ rights complaints? #bcpoli Thank you @PennyDaflos
— Anthony Fong MD👨⚕️🇨🇦 (@fongafriend) January 19, 2023
THE PROTECTION OF PERSONS SUBMITTING INFORMATION IS LIMITED
B.C.’s health authority has whistleblower hotlines, but officials describe a lack of trust in the system and fear of repercussions despite the stated protections. Starting June 1, however, the provincial ombudsman will be able to review complaints sent by health workers to his office as the legislation rolls out to more government sectors.
“Whistleblower protection laws are generally reserved for the most serious matters,” said British Columbia Ombudsman Jay Chalk, noting that systemic gross mismanagement would likely qualify for an investigation.
“If people, for example, get demoted or have other adverse employment effects, they can report it to us and we can investigate it.”
The stress of producing such a report is just one more factor that observers fear could drive health care workers out of business altogether after three years of a pandemic and rising patient numbers amid worsening staff shortages.
“We cannot make people feel harassed, pressured or muzzled to speak out, even when they make suggestions about how we can improve patient safety,” said official opposition leader Kevin Falcon. “(The NDP government) is just focusing on their communication and trying not to make it look like they’re making mistakes, but the public knows we have a health care crisis.”
If the government were transparent and took a more inclusive approach, we might be able to come up with better solutions for our healthcare system. I recently heard a great line from a colleague. “Give me a vote, not a sandwich.” Sometimes we get free sandwiches. You know. To be happy. https://t.co/NLriltgjw8
— Kevin McLeod (@dockevinmcleod) January 19, 2023
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