Mandatory Reporting

Health professionals have a legal obligation to report, to their regulatory body or other relevant authority, any information they have about another health professional’s unprofessional conduct including sexual misconduct, or other behaviour that may put the public at risk. This helps ensure that health professionals who engage in inappropriate behaviour are held accountable and cannot continue practicing in a way that could harm patients.

However, some health professionals may be afraid to report their colleagues due to fear of retaliation or being labeled a traitor, which can be a barrier to effective reporting and enforcement. The Complaints Director has the power to initiate an investigation and open a complaint if they receive information that suggests a registered health professional has engaged in unprofessional conduct or is otherwise unfit to practice, even if no formal complaint has been filed. The Complaints Director would consider factors such as the nature and severity of the behaviour, potential risk to the public, and credibility of the information received. The Complaints Director cannot act on “hearsay” and does need to receive some facts of the allegations for it to be considered credible.

The goal of the mandatory reporting requirement and the Complaints Director’s authority is to hold health professionals accountable and protect the public from harm. Health professionals are required by the Health Professions Act and the Standards of Practice to report inappropriate behaviour to the appropriate authorities and seek support and guidance from their regulatory body, despite any potential repercussions.

Here are some examples of behaviours you may witness or may be aware of, that you have an obligation to report, and the Complaints Director can act on if there are concerns of retaliation. Remember all calls are confidential.

If you witness or are aware that a fellow healthcare professional:

• Is engaging in criminal conduct, such as stealing medication.
• Is having relations with a patient, which creates a power imbalance.
• Submitting fraudulent insurance claims for services not provided.
• Altering the natural dentition of a patient.

All of these offenses fall under the Health Professions Act and our Code of Ethics as unprofessional, unethical conduct, and sexual abuse and may fall under the Criminal Code of Canada.

The updated Mandatory Reporting Guidelines may be found on the website here: Mandatory Reporting Guidelines