Alberta proposes rules to protect patients from sexual misconduct and abuse from providers

Bill-21, an Act to Protect Patients, could see doctors and other providers face automatic licence suspensions for sexually abusing patients. The bill is similar to legislation already passed in Ontario and sets out strict processes and punishments for providers found to have abused patients. The bill covers two categories of abuse:

1. Sexual abuse, defined as overt acts, including intercourse and sexual touching, and would result in mandatory licence suspension for at least five years; and
2. Sexual misconduct is an array of lesser offences, such as voyeurism and sexually suggestive remarks or behaviour, and would lead to mandatory licence suspension of up to five years.

The rules will take effect in April and cover 100,000 health professionals, including family doctors, nurses, psychologists, psychiatrists, surgeons, pharmacists, X-ray technologists, dentists, physiotherapists and chiropractors.
Related:
Protéger les patients contre les abus sexuels lors des consultations médicales - Radio-Canada