Expectations and Concerns
The College of Paramedics of Manitoba is committed to addressing public complaints of registrants in a fair and transparent fashion. Most complaints are addressed through a written submission, and the outcome is decided by the Registrar or Complaints Investigation Committee.
The College recognizes some concerns can be addressed through a facilitated discussion. A Complainant may be asked to consider having a facilitated discussion with the Registrant about their concerns. The Registrant may not realize there is a concern and may be able to provide further information, an explanation, and/or an apology to resolve the issue. Therefore, informal resolution is one of the first considerations by both the Registrar and Complaints Investigation Committee.
If the concern is to be addressed through the complaints process, the Registrar will inform the registrant of the complaint and they will be required to respond. The College has authority to access medical information to investigate a complaint. The College will ask for consent to release the information to the College prior to the investigation commencing.
What the College can do to address concerns
It is impossible for a paramedic to provide perfect care all the time, but the College expects that when problems arise, registrants will take responsibility and help members of the public address the issues of concern. Most registrants take the advice or criticism provided by the College seriously and take steps to improve.
Where a complaint shows the need for a registrant to change behavior or to improve an aspect of their practice, the College may require assessment and/or further training.
In circumstances where the conduct of a registrant includes a serious error (especially if the registrant is not prepared to acknowledge it), the College may pursue formal discipline against that registrant in order to adequately protect the public.
The College has the authority to restrict or take away a registrant’s right to practice where it has determined that a registrant is not fit to practice paramedicine. Reasons to suspend or revoke a certificate of practice include: the registrant is too ill to practice safely, the registrant is not competent, or the registrant has committed a serious act of professional misconduct and their continued practice puts the public at risk.
What the College cannot do to address concerns
The College does not handle general complaints regarding medical matters or concerns about other health care professionals. The College can only take action where concerns relate to an individual registrant who is practicing in Manitoba. Concerns or complaints about other healthcare professionals should be directed to the appropriate professional regulatory body.
The College does not have authority to:
- Obtain financial compensation for complainants.
- Mandate a registrant apologize to a complainant.