The BC Ministry of Health has launched a public engagement to identify what information, supports, and opportunities for involvement patients need after experiencing harm and to address Indigenous-specific racism in the health care system.
When patients or care providers have concerns about a health care experience, there are processes in place to review what happened, respond to patients, and improve future care. The ministry is working to make these processes more accessible, effective, culturally safe, transparent, and respectful.
The engagement is a response to concerns raised by patients, community, and health sector partners, and the 2020 In Plain Sight report, which documented widespread systemic Indigenous-specific racism and discrimination in BC’s health care system.
In the engagement that began May 14, the Ministry is asking for feedback in three ways:
- Online survey — First Nations, Métis, and Inuit: This survey is specifically for people in BC who identify as First Nations, Métis, or Inuit to identify what information, supports, and opportunities for involvement patients need after experiencing a health care concern or incident in the health care system.
- Online survey — Public: This survey is for people in BC (the public) to identify what information, supports, and opportunities for involvement patients need after experiencing a health care concern or incident in the health care system.
- Written submission: Representatives from organizations and associations wanting to provide written comments may submit their perspectives in writing.
Closing date and time for survey and written submissions: June 26, 2026, 4 p.m. PT.
The Ministry will share a summary report of the survey findings in Spring 2027.
Responses will help build new requirements for how organizations must handle patient health care concerns, including incidents of Indigenous-specific racism and discrimination. They will also guide how health care incidents are reviewed, how information is shared with patients and families, and how cultural safety is ensured throughout the process.
For more information, including links to the surveys and guidelines for written submissions, see the Ministry of Health Patient Care Quality Review webpage.
