Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The question I have today is for the Minister of Health and Social Services, and it may seem like a small issue, but it’s a very important issue when a family is in crisis and a loved one is in the care of a health care facility.
So, I’d like to ask the Minister of Health and Social Services if he is aware of a policy that would guide a health
care
professional
or
a
person
in
administration when answering an inquiry about the condition of a patient. Let me give you an example. I recently had a constituent who was in the hospital who was nearing end of life, and her son called from another jurisdiction to inquire about his mother’s condition. When the person speaking on the phone checked the list
– which I wasn’t aware there was
such a thing
– this individual’s name was not on the
list, so they were notified, I’m sorry, your name is not on the approved list of people we can discuss your mother’s condition with. I’m bringing this up today because I know it seems like a small thing that I could just as easily ask you personally, but I want other people to be aware of it, too, who may be listening. If people are required to have a list of approved contacts when they are a patient in the hospital, it is very important for them to know that, because, like I say, the family could be in great strife or stress.
I’d like to ask the Minister, is he aware of the policy of the health care facilities with respect to providing information to people calling to inquire about family members. Thank you.
