About the project
In response to concerns raised by patients, community and health sector partners and the 2020 In Plain Sight (PDF, 6MB) report (IPS), the B.C. Ministry of Health is engaging with patients to identify what information, supports, and opportunities for involvement they need after experiencing harm in the health care system.
The ministry acknowledges the widespread systemic racism and discrimination highlighted by IPS and the negative impacts on Indigenous people in B.C.’s health care system. The report found that quality reviews within the health system are not culturally safe and recommends ensuring appropriate information is documented and shared when there has been an incident of Indigenous-specific racism.
The ministry is reviewing how health care-related harm – including Indigenous-specific racism and discrimination – is addressed by two separate but related quality review processes in B.C.’s public health care system:
- Internal patient safety reviews (initiated by health care providers)
- Patient care quality reviews (initiated by patients or their representatives)
As part of this work, the ministry began early discussions in 2023 with health partners, providers and patients to understand the challenges they face with quality review processes.
The ministry is seeking feedback to make both processes more open and culturally safe for patients, families, providers, and communities, and to strengthen the health care system’s ability to address Indigenous-specific racism and discrimination.
Broader engagements will continue throughout 2026 including information gathering sessions in First Nation, Métis and a diverse range of equity-deserving communities across B.C. to gather feedback on what an improved system should look like. The ministry is also holding ongoing consultations with health partners focusing on cultural safety, current research and best practices to help refine policy direction and support future legislative changes.
Your voice matters. What you share will help inform health care policy and improve how care is delivered so it better reflects the needs of patients and communities.