The "To Zero" Report
In 2015 after some high profile cases of physicians sexually abusing patients came out in the press, the Minister of Health Dr Eric Hoskins formed a task force to study the issue and make recommendations. The result was the 2015 "To Zero" Task Force Report. We are terribly disappointed that this report paid for by Ontario citizens has recently been removed from the current Ministry of Health’s Website. It wouldn't surprise us that Ontario's Health Regulators' wouldn't want the public to know about the report, but the current elected government insists they have “zero tolerance for sexual abuse”. The entire task force and it’s recommendations were done to assist sexual abuse victims and change the status quo. We will continue to advocate with Queen’s Park and all MPP’s in the house of Parliament with the "To Zero" Report being the backbone of that discussion. In recognition that the original report is a long read, please see below for some of the key highlights for those that wish to get a quick idea of the recommendations found within.
Please find the full report below:
Highlights
The 2015 Task Force “To Zero” Report has 34 Recommendations. Here are just some of those key recommendations:
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An Independent Organization for intake & Investigation for Sexual Abuse Complaints - The task force recommends the Ontario Safety and Patient Protection Authority (OSAPPA); Recommendation #4 in Report
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Full Participation of Patients; Recommendation #7 in Report
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Independent Adjudication Tribunal (Ontario Safety and Patient Protection Authority) Independent from Complaints and Investigations; Recommendation #8 in Report
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Evidentiary Rules at Discipline Hearings in Sex Abuse Complaint; Recommendation #10 in Report
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Admissibility of Evidence to Civil Proceedings; Recommendation #11 in Report
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Expert Witnesses in the Dynamics of Sexual Abuse of Patients; Recommendation #12 in Report
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Access to Justice for Ontario Patients Pilot with Legal Aid Ontario; Recommendation #18 in Report
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Minister’s Implementation Council; Recommendation #19 in Report
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Inter-Ministerial Oversight for Implementation; Recommendation #20 in Report