Complaints regarding the health and social services network
Québec City, June 14, 2006 – Since April 1, 2006, the Protecteur du citoyen has been responsible for fielding and processing last-resort complaints from the public with regard to the health and social services network. Now when users have complaints, they have easy recourse to a third party independent of the government.
This new responsibility for health and social services will enable the Protecteur du citoyen to field complaints that concern both a healthcare or social services establishment and a Québec government department or agency. For instance, the Protecteur du citoyen could intervene with a network establishment and the ministère de l’Éducation, du Loisir et du Sport concerning the continued availability of adapted services for children with disabilities. Access to health care for correctional system detainees is another example.
In short, the Protecteur du citoyen now has the ability to take action on behalf of users who suffer when government services or programs are not harmonized.
Citizens may contact the Protecteur du citoyen if they are dissatisfied with how local or regional complaints commissioners have handled or followed up on their complaints regarding a community organization, an ambulance service, or a seniors’ residence. What’s more, any person aware of a situation that may jeopardize the health or safety of an individual or group of people may report the situation to the Protecteur du citoyen, which will analyze it confidentially and take any necessary corrective action while ensuring that those concerned suffer no reprisals.
“By being able to formulate its recommendations to the health and social services network, the Protecteur du citoyen can contribute to improving the quality of health care and social services for all system users and help ensure their rights are respected,” commented the Protector.
To learn more about the rights the Act respecting health services and social services confers on users and the various ways the Protecteur du citoyen may intervene, visit protecteurducitoyen.qc.ca or call 1-800-463-5070.
