Health-care workers better protected by expanded whistleblower legislation
June 5, 2023
Health-care workers will benefit from new protections when bringing forward concerns about serious wrongdoing as the scope of the Public Interest Disclosure Act (PIDA) expands to people working at health authorities, Providence Health, and BC Emergency Health Services as of Thursday, June 1, 2023.
“No one is above the rules. When someone sees something that could seriously undermine confidence in public services, it’s vital they feel they can safely share those concerns without fear of repercussion,” said Niki Sharma, Attorney General. “As we bring more employees under the protections of this legislation, British Columbians can be reassured that serious wrongdoing will not get in the way of delivering on the services we need most.”
PIDA promotes accountability and transparency by providing a framework for employees to report serious wrongdoing to designated officers within their organization or to the Office of the Ombudsperson without fear of reprisal.
“The whistleblower protection law provides an important protection for health-care workers to voice their concerns about serious wrongdoing as we take action to strengthen our public health-care system,” said Adrian Dix, Minister of Health. “This is the result of years of diligent work done in light of the ombudsperson’s recommendations in the Misfire: The 2012 Ministry of Health Employment Terminations and Related Matters report. I thank everyone in the health organizations who have supported the development of the Public Interest Disclosure Act thus far, and I am proud of this legislation under our government.”
Source: BC Gov News
