Patients win right to know in Ontario
For the first time, Ontario patients will be able to easily discover if a doctor has been found guilty of medical malpractice, has a criminal conviction and why or what limits have been put on a physician's license. Public light will be shone not only on the records of doctors, but those of all regulated health professionals, from nurses to dentists to acupuncturists. All will now be required to report findings against them to their respective professional colleges. And those colleges must release the information to the public. As well, findings against medical professionals will no longer be wiped clean after six years. These changes are all amendments to legislation moving through the Ontario Legislature to improve hospital safety. In addition, all Ontario hospitals will be required to report safety information such as medical errors to the province, which will make it public on websites. These changes to existing provincial legislation will ensure that the public will have a right to know.
