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Ministry of Health

Complaints

Role of the Emergency Medical Assistants (EMA) Licensing Board

The EMA Licensing Board is mandated to protect the public. As such, the board investigates complaints regarding patient care and violations to the EMA code of ethics.

Complaints with the Board, April 1, 2010 to March 31, 2011.

Between April 1, 2010 and March 31, 2011, the board received 19 new complaints, had 20 complaints in progress, and closed 26 complaint files. Five complaints were closed because the board determined that it had no jurisdiction in the matter.

Role of the Investigation Committee

The Investigation Committee is an independent committee of the board. The committee investigates complaints as requested by the board.

The committee gathers supplementary information regarding the complaint and presents a report to the board outlining the facts of the case. Based on the facts, the committee provides a recommendation to the board on whether or not a hearing is warranted.

In accordance with the Complaint, Investigation and Hearing Procedure Rules, the Investigation Committee is composed of at least three people, one of whom must be a physician, and one of whom must be a person who represents the paramedic community.

Current Investigation Committee Members:

  • Dr. Peter MacDonald, emergency room physician, chair
  • Lisa Constable, RN, BScN, MSN, member
  • Robbin Norgren, paramedic advisor, ACP, member
  • Jeff Miller, FR advisor, FR3,member

How Long Does it Take to Complete the Complaint Process?

  • Complaints vary in the amount of time they take to be resolved.
  • More complex cases, involving several people and numerous issues take longer to resolve.

What Are the Possible Disciplinary Actions of a Hearing or an ADR?

  • The board uses educational measures wherever possible. These measures include research papers and retraining. 
  • Other disciplinary actions can be imposed depending on the nature of the complaint such as: licence suspensions, terms or conditions, or licence revocation. 

Can a Decision of the Board be Appealed?

  • Decisions of the board can be appealed to B.C.’s Supreme Court.
  • The board does not hear appeals of its own decisions.