The Apology Act is now in effect in Manitoba

Wednesday we invited a number of guests to the Manitoba Legislature to help us recognize that this week on wednesday, February 6 the Apology Act came into effect in Manitoba. The act was passed last fall, but had a 90 day wait until February 6 before coming into effect.

The Apology Act allows for an apology without the apology being used as an admission of guilt in a court of law. It is expected it will be very helpful in marking a culture shift in dealing with medical errors. In the case of a medical error a physician, a nurse, a hospital administrator or any other health care provider can say "I'm sorry" without the apology being considered in a court. It is my hope that it will set the stage for a more open process in dealing with medical errors and help in the healing process for families as well as allowing for better understanding of what went wrong and better prevention of such errors in the future.

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