Healthcare workers in British Columbia have been asked to share their experiences with racism and discrimination in the healthcare system as part of a new survey launched on Friday.
The healthcare workers’ survey asks respondents about the impact of discriminatory behaviours or actions on patients and their family members, as well as whether (and in what ways) healthcare workers are affected by these matters personally in the workplace.
The survey is looking for the experiences of a wide range of providers – from physicians, nurses, paramedics and health-sciences professionals, to clerks, cleaning staff and food-services employees. Healthcare workers can access the survey here: https://feedback.engage.gov.
The survey is part of Addressing Racism: An Independent Investigation into Indigenous-specific Racism in B.C. Health Care, that Mary Ellen Turpel-Lafond is leading. Turpel-Lafond was named the independent investigator after allegations that B.C. emergency room personnel have been playing a racist “game” targeting Indigenous patients.
READ MORE: Hospital on Vancouver Island named in allegations of racist ‘game’
“To get a full picture of the impact of racism in the health-care system, it is very important to specifically seek the views of healthcare workers,” Turpel-Lafond said in a statement.
“Many have already made submissions to the investigation through email, our toll-free phone line and interviews with our investigators. This survey provides one more opportunity.”
The healthcare workers’ survey will remain open until Aug. 27, 2020.
“I encourage everybody who works in the B.C. healthcare system to take part in the survey,” Turpel-Lafond said. “It’s important that this investigation collect as much information from as many knowledgeable sources as possible.”
According to the investigation team, the healthcare workers’ survey has received strong support from a number of professional regulatory bodies and unions, which are promoting and sharing the survey broadly amongst their members. This includes the College of Physicians and Surgeons of BC, the BC College of Nursing Professionals, the BC Health Regulators Group, the College of Midwives of British Columbia, Doctors of BC, the BC Nurses’ Union, the Health Sciences Association (HSA) of BC, the Hospital Employees’ Union and the University of British Columbia.
Meanwhile, the investigation’s deadline for surveys of Indigenous British Columbians about their experiences accessing the B.C. healthcare system has been extended to Aug. 6. That survey is available at this link: https://feedback.engage.gov.
Anybody with complaints about a specific incident of racism in the healthcare system can also call the investigation’s toll-free line at 1 888 600-3078 or email the team at: addressing_racism [at] gov.bc.ca
The toll-free number and email address will continue to accept submissions after the written survey closes.
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