More work to be done on anti-Indigenous racism in health care: Turpel-Lafond – Times Colonist
The In Plain Sight report details hundreds of examples of racism and profiling resulting in poorer health outcomes for First Nations and Métis people in B.C.
Fewer than half of the 24 recommendations to address Indigenous-specific racism in the province’s health-care system have been fully implemented on the one-year anniversary of the In Plain Sight report, its author said Tuesday.
“I continue to receive disturbing complaints about racism occurring at the point of care and about the ongoing inadequacy of complaints processes,” said Mary Ellen Turpel-Lafond.
Turpel-Lafond, a retired judge, was asked in June 2020 to investigate allegations that health-care professionals at Saanich Peninsula Hospital played a “game” where they guessed Indigenous patients’ blood alcohol levels. The investigation found no evidence to substantiate the allegations.
