Dryden doctor to undergo sensitivity training

A Dryden doctor has been ordered to attend cultural sensitivity training after making offensive remarks to a First Nations family on Aug. 4.
The comments, which the family found to be racially offensive, were made as the doctor was attending to the patient at the Dryden Regional Health Centre (DRHC) emergency room.
While the family did not file a formal complaint with the hospital, word of the incident spread through social media sites such as Facebook, prompting the hospital to respond.
In a media release, DRHC said it concluded that the physician breached DRHC’s code of conduct and treats the breach seriously.
“The physician has acknowledged that his conduct was inappropriate and has indicated that he intends to personally apologize to the family, should he be given the opportunity,” the release said. “He has also agreed to attend cultural sensitivity training”.
DRHC does have mandatory cultural sensitivity training for all staff but since the doctor involved in this incident is employed by an outside clinic, it is unsure if he received the training.
“We strive to have a health centre that is inclusive and respectful of all races, cultures and creeds,” the DRHC release said. “We will be conducting a review of all of our programs and services to ensure that all staff, medical staff, and volunteers have the appropriate training and skills in providing culturally appropriate health care and support to First Nations and Aboriginal people.”
It added that the review would be conducted with assistance from the Sioux Lookout Meno Ya Win Health Centre, “our designated regional centre of excellence for First Nations and Aboriginal health care.”
Meanwhile, the family involved has not spoken to media about the incident. In a media release, an Elder spokesperson for the family said the family needs time to absorb the significance of the incident and is requesting privacy, so they will not respond to media enquiries.
He added that the family is overwhelmed with the number of individuals and organizations who have come forward to support the family, including Eagle Lake First Nation and the Grand Council of Treaty #3.