Response to allegations of racism in the ER
The College has been made aware of the horrific allegations of racism towards Indigenous people involving a game to guess the blood alcohol content of patients coming into the ER, and Mary Ellen Turpel-Lafonds investigation into the matter, as reported by Minister Adrian Dix today. The allegations suggest conduct that is absolutely inexcusable for any health-care provider, especially in emergency rooms where people are most vulnerable and rely on medical professionals to care for them in their time of need. The College extends its full support to the investigation. If it results in findings of racist conduct involving a physician or surgeon (registrants of this College), the College would take swift action to open its own investigative file into the matter.
A recent statement on racism from the registrar and CEO, Dr. Heidi M. Oetter, is available here.
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