Patient Experience and Safety Act

Summary#

• This Manitoba law sets out clear principles for patient‑centred health care and creates new ways for patients to ask questions or raise concerns. It also updates how serious patient safety events are shared within the health system to help prevent future harm.

• The patient principles and expectations take effect on a future date set by the government. The reporting changes on patient safety events take effect right away.

• Key changes:

  • States that care should be safe, timely, based on need (not ability to pay), and respectful.
  • Lists what patients can expect (e.g., clear communication, privacy, ability to raise concerns without fear) and what they are asked to do (e.g., respect staff, ask questions, take part in their care).
  • Requires clear posting of these expectations online and in places where care is delivered.
  • Creates an Office of Patient Advocacy, Experience and Quality in the provincial health department and patient advocacy officers in each health authority and health care organization.
  • Requires professional colleges to post simple complaint procedures for health providers who practice outside health authority facilities.
  • Allows the minister to share reports on serious safety events (critical incidents) with the provincial health authority and other health authorities to improve patient safety.
  • States that the principles do not create new legal rights or a way to sue if expectations are not met.

What it means for you#

• Patients and families

  • You should see easy‑to‑read posters and web pages that explain your care expectations and how to speak up.
  • You can contact a patient advocacy office in the health department and a patient advocacy officer in your local health authority or care organization to ask questions or raise concerns.
  • You can expect respectful care, clear information about your condition and options, privacy of your health information, and a timely response to concerns without fear of retribution.
  • You are asked to respect staff and other patients and to take part in your care by asking questions and working with your care team.
  • Note: These expectations guide the system but do not create a legal right to sue if they are not met.

• People in rural and remote areas

  • The law says care should be available in or near your community when reasonably possible, which may guide planning and service decisions.

• Health care providers

  • Patients will have clearer information on how to raise concerns, and you may see more direct questions and feedback.
  • Colleges must post simple complaint processes for patients when care is provided outside health authority facilities.
  • You are also owed respect and dignity from patients under the engagement expectations.

• Health authorities and health care delivery organizations

  • You must post the patient expectations in visible places and online.
  • You must designate one or more patient advocacy officers and post their contact information and clear guidance on how patients can raise issues.
  • You may receive shared information about serious safety events from the minister to help prevent similar incidents.

• Regulated health professions (colleges/associations)

  • You must ensure the expectations are posted in clinics and other non‑authority settings where members provide care.
  • You must provide and post a clear, understandable complaint process for the public.

Expenses#

No publicly available information.

Proponents' View#

• Makes patient‑centred care explicit and easy to understand, which can build trust and improve experiences.
• Gives patients clear, simple paths to ask questions and raise concerns, which can resolve problems sooner.
• Public posting of expectations increases transparency and may improve consistency across clinics and regions.
• Sharing serious incident information across health authorities helps spot risks faster and prevent repeat harms.
• Sets expectations for both patients and providers, encouraging respectful two‑way communication.

Opponents' View#

• The principles are not enforceable in court, so the law may be largely symbolic and may not change care on the ground.
• Terms like “reasonably timely” and “as appropriate” are vague, which could lead to uneven application.
• Creating advocacy offices and posting requirements could add administrative work and costs without adding clinical staff or services.
• Raising expectations without extra funding or capacity could lead to frustration if wait times or access do not improve.
• Sharing reports on serious incidents could raise privacy or confidentiality concerns if not carefully handled.