Friday, 29 March, 2024
HomeWeekly RoundupCanadian hospital staff 'played racist game' betting on blood alcohol levels

Canadian hospital staff 'played racist game' betting on blood alcohol levels

A Canadian province is investigating claims that healthcare staff played a racist ‘game’ by betting on the blood alcohol level of indigenous patients. According to a BBC News report, the claims, involving staff in at least one British Columbia hospital, came to light after a community leader recently filed a complaint.

British Columbia Health Minister Adrian Dix called the allegations ‘abhorrent’ and has hired an independent investigator. He would not say which hospital was named in the complaint.

“The allegation is that a game was being played to investigate the blood alcohol level of patients in the emergency rooms, in particular with indigenous people and perhaps others. And if true, it is intolerable and racist and of course (has) affected profoundly patient care,” Dix is quoted in the report as saying. He did not say if any staff faced disciplinary action.

The game was allegedly dubbed “The Price is Right”, after a popular game show. Staff lost if they guessed above the real blood alcohol limit. The game was played when indigenous patients were admitted to hospital, but other races may have been targets as well, Dix said.

The complaint was filed by Daniel Fontaine, CEO of Métis Nation British Columbia, after a healthcare worker mentioned the game during a San'yas indigenous cultural safety training session.

 

[link url="https://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-53116593"]Full BBC News report[/link]

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