Preventing and Addressing Sexual Abuse of Patients April 2015 | Página 13

patient information and support CON’T

ACTIONS TAKEN BY THE COLLEGE:
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  he College’s website contains information concerning complaints and specific
questions and answers for patients about sexual abuse complaints. This also
includes information about, and a link to, funding for therapy and counselling.
•  f someone calls the College about sexual abuse, we do not wait for a letter.
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Trained staff go and meet him/her and interview him/her right away. If
needed, we offer complainants assistance in making a complaint, including the
assistance of sensitive, trained staff.
•  he College has a staff member dedicated to patient support. She has extensive
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training and experience in sexual abuse. She accompanies patients to hearings
and attends the hearing to provide support.
•  he College’s prosecutor and the support person meet with the patient prior to
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any hearing to provide support, answer questions, and explain the process.
•  he Discipline Committee has enacted the Vulnerable Witness Rule which allows
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patients in appropriate circumstances to have a support person with them,
to testify behind a screen or outside the hearing room, and not to allow the
physician to personally cross–examine the patient.
•  pplications for funding for therapy and counselling are either provided inA
person or mailed to patients as a matter of course when allegations regarding
sexual abuse are referred to the College’s Discipline Committee.
•  he funding application package includes Frequently Asked Questions, a list of
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regulated health professionals who may provide therapy and counselling (with
contact information for the Colleges) and the document, “Things to consider
when choosing a therapist or counsellor”.

Measures taken by the CPSO

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