Concerns about a Respiratory Therapist
The Nova Scotia College of Respiratory Therapists (NSCRT) will investigate all complaints about Respiratory Therapists it receives from the general public, patients, clients, fellow Respiratory Therapists, employers, and other health care professionals. Complaints may be related to a Respiratory Therapist's professional conduct or general conduct if it is unbecoming to the profession or competence related to physical, mental or medical capacity to practice Respiratory Therapy.
The NSCRT investigates all complaints and processes them through the Registrar, the Complaints Committee, and the Professional Conduct Committee. The Respiratory Therapists Act and Regulations establish the requirements of each person involved in processing a complaint.
Submitting a concern:
Concerns regarding a Respiratory Therapist must be received in a recorded format - you can send a complaint in writing by email, ground mail or by completing on the online form. If sent via ground mail, written complaints should be marked confidential and addressed to the Registrar at:
Registrar
Nova Scotia College of Respiratory Therapists
1959 Upper Water Street, Suite 1301
Halifax, Nova Scotia
B3J 3N2
If you would like to speak to someone before submitting a concern, please contact the Registrar by calling 902-423-3229.
A written complaint should include the following information whenver possible:
- -Your name and contact address and phone numbers;
- -The name of the patient/client if you are submitting the complaint on their behalf.
- -The member's name and place of employment (if you do not know the name of the Respiratory Therapist, please provide as much detail and identifying information as possible);
- -The date, location, and description of incident(s)including specific concerns about the behaviour of or care provided by the member;
- -Names of and contact information of any witnesses to the incident(s);
- -Any additional information you feel is pertinent.
When the complaint is received you will be contacted by the Registrar. Although there is no time limit to bring a complaint forward, it is important to let the NSCRT know as soon as possible. Complaints can also be made against a former NSCRT member who was registered at the time of the incident but no longer holds a license.
Who can complain?
Anyone has the right to complain to the NSCRT about the professional conduct or care provided by a Respiratory Therapist this includes members of the public, members of the profession, other healthcare professionals, employers, and even the Registrar.
What happens after a complaint is filed?
As soon as a complaint is recieved by the NSCRT, the Registrar is notified. The Registrar will contact you to acknowledge receiving the complaint. Your complaint will be referred to the NSCRT Complaints Committee. When a complaint is referred to the Complaints Committee, a panel of 3 committee members, one public member and two respiratory therapists, is selected to consider the complaint. A list of committee members can be found HERE. The Registrar must also inform the member that there has been a complaint made against them and provide the member with a copy of the complaint and an opportunity to respond. Usually this response is shared with you, as the complainant, and you will be asked to comment on it.
The panel may appoint an investigator to gather relevant information. This may include obtaining medical records and other documents, interviewing witnesses, and speaking with co-workers and employers. When an investigation is finished, the investigator must prepare a report of the investigation and give a copy to the panel and a copy to the member who the complaint is about (respondent).
The panel must give you (complainant), the member (respondent), and any other person it considers appropriate a reasonable opportunity to appear before the panel to submit representations, explanations or documentation, including medical information and other information relevant to the complaint.
Who decides?
The panel is responsible for making a decision on the the complaint. Once the panel has gathered all of the information it considers necessary, they must do one of the following:
- -Dismiss the complaint
- -Counsel or caution the member
- -With the members consent, order that the member recive a reprimand which will be communicated to the member, you, and any other person the panel considers appropriate.
- -Informally resolve the complaint
- -Or, if it is determined that the complaint warrants a hearing, refer the matter to the Professional Conduct Committee.
The panel will prepare a written report of the decision that includes the reasons for the decision. This report will usually be provided to you, the member and anyone else the panel feels is necessary. Decisions of the Complaints Committee are final and can only be appealed by judicial review through the courts.
The NSCRT is committed to a fair, respectful and professional complaints process.