According to an Aug. 8 government news release, the territory has issued a “What We Heard” report summarizing input gathered from both the public and health professionals during January and February.
Gathering this information is part of Yukon’s bid to revamp its Health Professions Act.
Richard Mostyn, Yukon Minister of Community Services
According to information from a government spokesperson, a report in 2021 found “vast differences between the eight pieces of legislation which covers 15 health professions.”
“There are inconsistencies on how complaints may be dealt with, the authorities of the various committees/boards/councils and roles such as the Registrar, and even if there is the ability to establish standards,” said Taylor Harvey in an email to Law360 Canada. “We are looking to make the regulation of all health professionals consistent, which will lead to better oversight of the professions.”
Harvey said the feedback gathered will be used “to guide early policy and regulatory development.”
“The feedback will help identify areas for improvement and inform possible approaches,” said Harvey, who noted this is the first review of the Act since its creation in 2003.
For one, participants expressed a need for an “unbiased regulatory system” and for a transparent, accessible and “culturally and psychologically safe complaints process” — complete with “realistic timelines and defined follow-up procedures.”
The report found that participants agreed that complaints against health professionals should be made public — but only when “it has been investigated and found to be true.”
Respondents also called for improvements to the “cultural and psychological safety of the complaints process.” Specifically, suggestions were made that complainants should be allowed to “choose how to submit their complaint,” and that it should be done via an independent body rather than the government.
Also, health professionals reported wanting a complaints process that includes health professional involvement, “as they hold the context required to decide if a complaint has merit and is founded.”
Respondents also called for a separate complaints process when it comes to allegations of sexual misconduct. Respondents called for such a process to be “more trauma informed” and to make it easier for victims to come forward.
Participants also supported prioritizing sexual misconduct claims — particularly those considered “high-severity.”
They also called for support for health professionals’ well-being by allowing them to get the help they need without having their licences impacted.
“However, participants also recognized that a harm done to a patient may still require a discipline action,” states the report.
The news release notes the aforementioned fact that there are currently 15 health professions regulated under eight different acts. The project to revamp legislation will contemplate how to create “one umbrella legislation” governing all health professionals “in a fair, consistent, effective and efficient manner.”
Interestingly, while the news release about the feedback report is dated Aug. 8, the report itself is dated March 31. Harvey was asked about this, but an answer was not provided by press time.
However, Harvey said in her initial comments that unpacking participants’ feedback took some time.
“The report took time to analyze, develop and prepare to be released to the public,” she said.
Yukon Minister of Community Services Richard Mostyn thanked participants.
“Hearing directly from both the public and health professionals is essential as we begin this important work,” said Mostyn in a statement. “Updating the Health Professions Act is a significant responsibility and at the centre of this effort is protecting the safety and wellbeing of Yukoners.”
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