DRYDEN – The Dryden Regional Health Centre (DRHC) has reviewed an incident that occurred on Saturday, August 4, 2012, during which an emergency room doctor reportedly used inappropriate language while attending to a First Nations patient and his family. Reports are the doctor told the patient and parents “I hate you” to all three of the people.
In a statement to the media, the DRHC state, “We have concluded that the physician in question acted in a manner that breaches DRHC’s Code of Conduct and we take this breach seriously. The physician has acknowledged that his conduct was inappropriate and has indicated that he intends to personally apologize to the family, should he be given the opportunity. He has also agreed to attend cultural sensitivity training”.
“DRHC sincerely regrets that this incident occurred. We strive to have a health centre that is inclusive and respectful of all races, cultures and creeds. We will be conducting a review of all of our programs and services to ensure that all staff, medical staff, and volunteers have the appropriate training and skills in providing culturally appropriate health care and support to First Nations and Aboriginal people. This review will be conducted with assistance from the Sioux Lookout Meno Ya Win Health Centre, our designated regional centre of excellence for First Nations and Aboriginal health care”.
The situation has generated a lot of discussion online on social media sites, including Facebook.