p-31.1 - Act respecting the Health and Social Services Ombudsman

Updated to 1 January 2006

This document has official status.

chapter P-31.1

Act respecting the Health and Social Services Ombudsman

CHAPTER I ESTABLISHMENT

1. The Government shall appoint a Health and Social Services Ombudsman.

The abbreviated title “Health Services Ombudsman” may be used to designate the Health and Social Services Ombudsman.

2001, c. 43, s. 1.

2. The Health Services Ombudsman shall be appointed for a maximum term of five years and, on expiry of this term, shall remain in office until reappointed or replaced. The salary or fees and the other conditions of appointment of the Health Services Ombudsman shall be determined by the Government.

2001, c. 43, s. 2.

3. If absent or temporarily unable to act, the Health Services Ombudsman may be replaced by a person appointed by the Government to exercise the Ombudsman’s functions and powers for the duration of the absence or inability to act. The Government shall determine the person’s salary or fees and other conditions of appointment.

2001, c. 43, s. 3.

CHAPTER II ORGANIZATION

4. The personnel needed by the Health Services Ombudsman shall be appointed in accordance with the Public Service Act (chapter F-3.1.1).

The Health Services Ombudsman shall define the duties of the personnel and direct their work. The exercise of any of the powers of the Health Services Ombudsman may be delegated in writing.

2001, c. 43, s. 4.

5. The Health Services Ombudsman may give a person who is not a member of the Ombudsman’s personnel a written mandate to examine a complaint and, where applicable, conduct an inquiry, or any other specific written mandate related to any of the Ombudsman’s functions. The Health Services Ombudsman may delegate the exercise of any of the Ombudsman’s powers to such a person.

The second paragraph of section 9, with the necessary modifications, applies to such a person conducting an inquiry.

2001, c. 43, s. 5.

6. Before beginning to exercise their functions, the Health Services Ombudsman, any mandatary of the Ombudsman and any personnel member to whom the exercise of powers of the Ombudsman are delegated shall take the oath provided in Schedule I.

The oath shall be received by the Minister in the case of the Health Services Ombudsman and by the Ombudsman in the other cases.

2001, c. 43, s. 6.

CHAPTER III FUNCTIONS

7. The Health Services Ombudsman shall, by any appropriate means, see to it that users are respected and that their rights, as defined in Title II of Part I of the Act respecting health services and social services (chapter S-4.2) and in any other Act, are enforced.

The main function of the Health Services Ombudsman is the examination of complaints made by users.

It is also the function of the Health Services Ombudsman to ensure that institutions and agencies handle the complaints addressed to them in conformity with the procedures set out in Chapter III of Title II of Part I of the Act respecting health services and social services.

In addition, the Health Services Ombudsman may intervene specifically with the authorities concerned in cases described in section 20.

2001, c. 43, s. 7.

DIVISION I EXAMINATION OF COMPLAINTS

8. It is the function of the Health Services Ombudsman to examine any complaint

(1)  from a user who disagrees with the conclusions transmitted to the user by the local service quality commissioner pursuant to subparagraph 6 of the second paragraph of section 33 of the Act respecting health services and social services (chapter S-4.2), or deemed to have been transmitted to the user under section 40 of that Act, or is dissatisfied with the actions taken as a result of the related recommendations;

(2)  from any person who disagrees with the conclusions transmitted to the person by the regional service quality commissioner pursuant to subparagraph 6 of the second paragraph of section 66 of that Act, or deemed to have been transmitted to the person under section 72 of that Act, or is dissatisfied with the actions taken as a result of the related recommendations; and

(3)  from any person who disagrees with the conclusions transmitted to the person by Corporation d’urgences-santé pursuant to the provisions of section 104 of the Act respecting pre-hospital emergency services (chapter S-6.2) or deemed to have been transmitted to the person by Corporation d’urgences-santé pursuant to the provisions of that section, or who is dissatisfied with the actions taken as a result of the related recommendations.

It is also the function of the Health Services Ombudsman to examine any complaint from the heirs or the legal representatives of a deceased user regarding the services the user received or ought to have received, provided that the complaint was first submitted to the examination process provided for in Division I or Division III of Chapter III of Title II of Part I of that Act.

2001, c. 43, s. 8; 2002, c. 69, s. 159.

9. If deemed expedient by the Health Services Ombudsman, an inquiry may be held as part of the examination of a complaint. In that case, the Health Services Ombudsman shall determine the rules of procedure applicable to the inquiry and transmit them to any person who will be required to give evidence before the Ombudsman.

For the purposes of an inquiry, the Health Services Ombudsman is vested with the powers and immunity of commissioners appointed under the Act respecting public inquiry commissions (chapter C-37), except the power to order imprisonment.

2001, c. 43, s. 9.

10. The Health Services Ombudsman shall establish a complaint examination procedure.

The procedure must in particular

(1)  include the necessary details allowing rapid access to the services of the Health Services Ombudsman;

(2)  provide that the Health Services Ombudsman must give the necessary assistance or see to it that the necessary assistance is given to users or persons who so require for the formulation of a complaint or for any further step related to the complaint, in particular by the community organization in the region to which a user assistance and support mandate has been given pursuant to section 76.6 of the Act respecting health services and social services (chapter S‐4.2);

(3)  provide that complaints must be made in writing and filed together with the conclusions transmitted by the local commissioner or the regional commissioner, if any;

(4)  provide that the Health Services Ombudsman is to inform the institution or the agency in writing of the receipt of a complaint in its regard or, if the Ombudsman is of the opinion that no prejudice will be caused to the user, send a copy of the complaint to the institution or agency; provide that such information is also to be sent in writing to the highest authority of any other organization, resource or partnership or to any other person holding the position of highest authority, if the complaint pertains to services they are responsible for;

(5)  allow the complainant and the institution or agency and, where applicable, the highest authority of the organization, resource or partnership or any other person holding the position of highest authority responsible for the services that are the subject of the complaint, to present observations; and

(6)  provide that the Health Services Ombudsman, after examining the complaint, is to communicate his or her conclusions, including reasons, without delay to the complainant together with any recommendations made to the institution or the agency and, where applicable, to the highest authority of the organization, resource or partnership or to any other person holding the position of highest authority responsible for the services that are the subject of the complaint; provide that the Ombudsman is also to forward a copy of his or her conclusions, including reasons, to the institution or agency and to any other authority concerned.

Where the examination of a complaint referred to the Health Services Ombudsman pursuant to subparagraph 1 or 3 of the first paragraph of section 8 raises a matter that comes under a responsibility of agencies listed in section 340 of the Act respecting health services and social services, including access to services or the organization or financing of services, the agency may also be allowed to present observations under the procedure, in which case the Health Services Ombudsman shall inform the regional service quality commissioner of the elements of the complaint the Ombudsman considers relevant to the objects of the agency and identify the authority concerned. The Ombudsman shall allow the agency to present observations in all cases where the Ombudsman intends to make a recommendation to the agency following the examination of the complaint.

2001, c. 43, s. 10; 2005, c. 32, s. 255.

11. The Health Services Ombudsman may make a memorandum of agreement with any health and social services agency for the purposes of

(1)  the application of the complaint examination procedure, within the scope of the functions of the agency;

(2)  the communication of his or her conclusions, including reasons, subject to the protection of any nominative information they contain; or

(3)  any other activity of a health and social services agency with a view to the improvement of the services provided to the population in the region, the satisfaction of the clientele and the enforcement of their rights.

2001, c. 43, s. 11.

12. Within five days after receiving a written communication under subparagraph 4 of the second paragraph of section 10, the institution or the agency must forward a copy of the entire complaint record to the Health Services Ombudsman.

2001, c. 43, s. 12; 2005, c. 32, s. 308.

13. The Health Services Ombudsman may, upon summary examination, dismiss a complaint if, in the Ombudsman’s opinion, it is frivolous, vexatious or made in bad faith.

The Health Services Ombudsman may also refuse or cease to examine a complaint

(1)  if, in the Ombudsman’s opinion, the Ombudsman’s intervention would clearly serve no purpose;

(2)  if the length of time having elapsed between the events that gave rise to the dissatisfaction of the user and the filing of the complaint makes it impossible to examine the complaint; or

(3)  if more than two years have elapsed since the user received the conclusions and reasons of the local service quality commissioner or the regional service quality commissioner, or since the date on which negative conclusions are deemed to have been transmitted to the complainant under section 40 or 72 of the Act respecting social services and health services (chapter S-4.2), unless the complainant proves to the Health Services Ombudsman that it was impossible for him or her to act sooner.

In such a case, the Health Services Ombudsman shall inform the complainant in writing.

2001, c. 43, s. 13.

14. The complainant, any other person and the institution or agency, including any person working or practising on behalf of any organization, resource or partnership or person other than the institution or the agency must supply all information and, subject to the second paragraph of section 190 and section 218 of the Act respecting health services and social services (chapter S‐4.2), all documents required by the Health Services Ombudsman for the examination of a complaint, including, notwithstanding section 19 of that Act, access to and the communication of the information or documents contained in the user’s record; all such persons must also, unless they have a valid excuse, attend any meeting called by the Health Services Ombudsman.

2001, c. 43, s. 14; 2005, c. 32, s. 308.

15. Within 30 days of the receipt of a recommendation from the Health Services Ombudsman, the institution or the agency or the highest authority of the organization, resource or partnership or any other person to which or whom the recommendation is addressed must inform the Ombudsman and the complainant in writing of the actions to be taken as a result of the recommendation or, if it has decided not to act upon the recommendation, of the reasons for such a decision.

2001, c. 43, s. 15; 2005, c. 32, s. 308.

16. If, after having made a recommendation as referred to in section 15, the Health Services Ombudsman considers that no satisfactory action has been taken or that the reasons given for not acting upon the recommendation are unsatisfactory, the Ombudsman may advise the Minister in writing. The Health Services Ombudsman may also, if he or she sees fit, report the case in the Ombudsman’s annual report or make it the subject of a special report to the Minister.

2001, c. 43, s. 16.

DIVISION II CONFORMITY OF COMPLAINT HANDLING PROCESS

17. An institution or a health and social services agency must transmit the complaint examination procedure established by the board of directors to the Health Services Ombudsman on request.

2001, c. 43, s. 17.

18. The Health Services Ombudsman shall ensure that the institutions and health and social services agencies establish and apply a complaint examination procedure in accordance with the provisions of sections 29 to 72 of the Act respecting health services and social services (chapter S-4.2).

The Health Services Ombudsman may recommend to the board of directors of an institution or a health and social services agency any corrective action to ensure such conformity.

Within 30 days of the receipt of a recommendation for corrective action from the Health Services Ombudsman, the institution or the health and social services agency must inform the Ombudsman in writing of the actions to be taken as a result of the recommendation or, if it has decided not to act upon the recommendation, of the reasons for such a decision.

2001, c. 43, s. 18.

19. The Health Services Ombudsman shall report to the Minister, as part of the report submitted at least once a year pursuant to section 38, on the nature of the corrective action the Ombudsman has recommended to institutions and health and social services agencies during the year in order to ensure that their complaint handling process is in conformity with the law.

The report shall also identify any institution or health and social services agency that has decided not to act upon a recommendation for corrective action made by the Health Services Ombudsman.

2001, c. 43, s. 19.

CHAPTER IV INTERVENTION

20. The Health Services Ombudsman may, on his or her own initiative, intervene if the Ombudsman has reasonable grounds to believe that the rights of a natural person or a group of natural persons have been or may likely be adversely affected by an act or omission

(1)  of any institution or any organization, resource, partnership or person to whom or which an institution has recourse for the provision of certain services;

(2)  of any agency or any organization, resource, partnership or person whose services may be the subject of a complaint under section 60 of the Act respecting health services and social services (chapter S‐4.2);

(3)  of Corporation d’urgences-santé in the provision of pre-hospitalization emergency services; or

(4)  of any person working or practising on behalf of a body referred to in subparagraph 1, 2 or 3.

The Health Services Ombudsman shall only intervene with respect to an act or omission of a body referred to in the first paragraph if, in the Ombudsman’s opinion, recourse to the process provided for in Division I or Division III of Chapter III of Title II of Part I of the Act respecting health services and social services or in section 16 or 104 of the Act respecting pre-hospital emergency services (chapter S‐6.2) would likely be compromised, serve no purpose or be illusory, either owing to possible reprisals against the person or group of persons concerned, the special vulnerability or abandonment of the targeted clientele, or in any other case which, in the opinion of the Ombudsman, warrants an immediate intervention of the Ombudsman, especially where problems may interfere with the well-being of users and the recognition and enforcement of their rights.

Nothing in this section shall be construed as conferring jurisdiction on the Health Services Ombudsman over the supervision or assessment of medical, dental or pharmaceutical acts performed in a centre operated by an institution.

2001, c. 43, s. 20; 2002, c. 69, s. 160; 2005, c. 32, s. 260.

21. Where the Health Services Ombudsman sees fit to intervene, the Ombudsman shall inform the highest authority of the body concerned, specifying the act or omission that is the subject of the intervention and the facts or reasons warranting the intervention.

The body concerned must collaborate with the Health Services Ombudsman and be invited to present its observations.

2001, c. 43, s. 21.

22. The intervention of the Health Services Ombudsman shall be conducted equitably and in accordance with the intervention procedure established by the Ombudsman.

Sections 9, 14 and 29 to 36 apply to the intervention, with the necessary modifications.

2001, c. 43, s. 22.

23. The Health Services Ombudsman must advise the Public Curator immediately upon being apprised of the presence of a person represented by the Public Curator appointed under the Public Curator Act (chapter C-81) in a facility maintained by a body that is the subject of an intervention under this chapter.

2001, c. 43, s. 23.

24. The Health Services Ombudsman must without delay communicate an intervention report, together with any recommendations, to the body concerned. The Ombudsman must also communicate the result of the intervention with diligence to the person or each of the persons on whose behalf the Ombudsman intervened, and to the Public Curator where one of those persons is represented by the latter. Lastly, the Ombudsman may communicate the result of the intervention to any other interested person.

2001, c. 43, s. 24.

25. Within 30 days of the receipt of a recommendation from the Health Services Ombudsman, the body concerned must inform the Ombudsman in writing of the actions to be taken as a result of the recommendation or, if it has decided not to act upon the recommendation, of the reasons for such a decision.

2001, c. 43, s. 25.

26. If, after having made a recommendation referred to in section 25, the Health Services Ombudsman considers that no satisfactory action has been taken or that the reasons given for not acting upon the recommendation are unsatisfactory, the Ombudsman may advise the Minister in writing. The Health Services Ombudsman may also, if he or she sees fit, report the case in the Ombudsman’s annual report or make it the subject of a special report to the Minister.

2001, c. 43, s. 26.

CHAPTER V ADVICE, RECOMMENDATIONS AND REPORTS

27. The Health Services Ombudsman may, whenever necessary, advise the Minister or any body referred to in section 20 on any matter relating to the respect shown to users and the enforcement of their legal rights and remedies or to the improvement of the quality of the services provided to the public and, if necessary, make recommendations for the appropriate corrective action.

If he or she sees fit, the Health Services Ombudsman may report the situation in the Ombudsman’s annual report or make it the subject of a special report to the Minister.

The Health Services Ombudsman may, in any advice or report, identify any institution or health and social services agency that has decided not to act upon a recommendation for corrective action made by the Ombudsman.

2001, c. 43, s. 27.

28. Thirty days after transmitting any advice, recommendation or report under section 16, 26 or 27 to the Minister, the Health Services Ombudsman shall release the document if the Ombudsman considers that the interest of the users involved so requires.

2001, c. 43, s. 28.

CHAPTER VI VARIOUS PROVISIONS

29. No person shall take reprisals or attempt to take reprisals in any manner whatever against any natural person who files or intends to file a complaint under section 8 or otherwise applies to the Health Services Ombudsman under this Act.

The Health Services Ombudsman must act immediately upon being apprised of reprisals or of an attempt to take reprisals.

2001, c. 43, s. 29.

30. No civil action may be instituted by reason or in consequence of a complaint made in good faith under this Act, whatever the conclusions of the Health Services Ombudsman, or by reason or in consequence of the publication, in good faith, of any advice or report of the Ombudsman under this Act or of an extract from or summary of any such advice or report.

Nothing in this Act shall operate to restrict the right of any person or the person’s successors to exercise a remedy based on the same facts as those on which a complaint is based.

2001, c. 43, s. 30.

31. No legal proceedings may be brought against the Health Services Ombudsman, a mandatary of the Ombudsman within the meaning of section 5 or a member of the Ombudsman’s personnel exercising the powers of the Ombudsman for an act or omission made in good faith in the exercise of their functions.

2001, c. 43, s. 31.

32. Except on a question of jurisdiction, no extraordinary recourse under articles 834 to 846 of the Code of Civil Procedure (chapter C-25) may be exercised and no injunction may be granted against any of the persons referred to in section 31 acting in their official capacity.

2001, c. 43, s. 32.

33. A judge of the Court of Appeal may, on a motion, summarily annul any writ, order or injunction issued or granted contrary to section 31 or 32.

2001, c. 43, s. 33.

34. The answers given or statements made by a person during the examination of a complaint, including any information or document supplied in good faith by the person in response to a request of the Health Services Ombudsman, a mandatary of the Ombudsman within the meaning of section 5 or a member of the Ombudsman’s personnel exercising the powers of the Ombudsman, may not be used or be admitted as evidence against the person in a judicial proceeding or a proceeding before a person or body exercising adjudicative functions.

2001, c. 43, s. 34.

35. Notwithstanding any inconsistent legal provision, the Health Services Ombudsman, a mandatary of the Ombudsman within the meaning of section 5 or a member of the Ombudsman’s personnel exercising the powers of the Ombudsman may not be compelled to make a deposition in a judicial proceeding or a proceeding before a person or body exercising adjudicative functions concerning any confidential information obtained in the exercise of their functions, or to produce a document containing such information, except to confirm its confidential nature.

2001, c. 43, s. 35.

36. Nothing contained in a user’s complaint record, including the conclusions with reasons and any related recommendations, may be construed as a declaration, recognition or extrajudicial admission of professional, administrative or other misconduct capable of establishing the civil liability of a party in a judicial proceeding.

2001, c. 43, s. 36.

37. The provisions of sections 17 to 28 of the Act respecting health services and social services (chapter S-4.2) apply to all user’s complaint records kept by the Health Services Ombudsman for the purposes of the functions of the Ombudsman under this Act.

2001, c. 43, s. 37.

CHAPTER VII ANNUAL REPORT

38. The Health Services Ombudsman must submit an activities report to the Minister once a year and whenever so required by the Minister.

The report shall describe the reasons for the complaints received by the Health Services Ombudsman under section 8 and shall indicate in respect of each type of complaint

(1)  the number of complaints received, dismissed upon summary examination, examined, refused or abandoned since the last report; and

(2)  the actions taken following the examination of the complaints.

The report shall specify the nature of the corrective action recommended and any institution or health and social services agency identified pursuant to section 19.

Moreover, the report shall list the interventions of the Health Services Ombudsman pursuant to section 20 as well as the principal conclusions of the Ombudsman and any related recommendations.

Furthermore, the report must contain advice formulated by the Health Services Ombudsman and any appropriate recommendations for corrective action regarding any matter within the Ombudsman’s purview, including the following:

(1)  the action to be taken to improve the degree of satisfaction of the users or clientele of any body referred to in subparagraph 1, 2 or 3 of the first paragraph of section 20 and the enforcement of their rights;

(2)  the application of the complaint examination procedure established by institutions and health and social services agencies;

(3)  the improvement of the quality of services; and

(4)  the standardization of the form and content of the annual reports issued by the boards of directors of institutions and health and social services agencies.

2001, c. 43, s. 38.

39. The Minister shall table the annual report of the Health Services Ombudsman in the National Assembly within 30 days of receiving it or, if the Assembly is not in session, within 30 days of resumption.

2001, c. 43, s. 39.

CHAPTER VIII FINAL PROVISION

40. The Minister of Health and Social Services is responsible for the administration of this Act.

2001, c. 43, s. 40.

AMENDING PROVISIONS

41. (Amendment integrated into c. S-4.2, Chapters III and IV of Title II of Part I, ss. 29 to 76).

2001, c. 43, s. 41.

42. (Amendment integrated into c. S-4.2, s. 108).

2001, c. 43, s. 42.

43. (Amendment integrated into c. S-4.2, s. 133.0.1).

2001, c. 43, s. 43.

44. (Amendment integrated into c. S-4.2, s. 173).

2001, c. 43, s. 44.

45. (Amendment integrated into c. S-4.2, s. 177).

2001, c. 43, s. 45.

46. (Amendment integrated into c. S-4.2, s. 182).

2001, c. 43, s. 46.

47. (Amendment integrated into c. S-4.2, s. 212).

2001, c. 43, s. 47.

48. (Amendment integrated into c. S-4.2, s. 214).

2001, c. 43, s. 48.

49. (Amendment integrated into c. S-4.2, s. 218).

2001, c. 43, s. 49.

50. (Amendment integrated into c. S-4.2, s. 249).

2001, c. 43, s. 50.

51. (Amendment integrated into c. S-4.2, s. 250).

2001, c. 43, s. 51.

52. (Amendment integrated into c. S-4.2, s. 344).

2001, c. 43, s. 52.

53. (Omitted).

2001, c. 43, s. 53.

54. (Inoperative, 2001, c. 24, s. 75).

2001, c. 43, s. 54.

55. (Amendment integrated into c. S-4.2, s. 506).

2001, c. 43, s. 55.

56. (Amendment integrated into c. S-4.2, s. 530.5).

2001, c. 43, s. 56.

57. (Amendment integrated into c. S-4.2, s. 530.7).

2001, c. 43, s. 57.

58. (Amendment integrated into c. S-4.2, s. 530.8).

2001, c. 43, s. 58.

59. (Amendment integrated into heading of Division III of Chapter II of Title I of Part IV.1).

2001, c. 43, s. 59.

60. (Amendment integrated into c. S-4.2, s. 530.9).

2001, c. 43, s. 60.

61. (Amendment integrated into c. S-4.2, s. 530.10).

2001, c. 43, s. 61.

62. (Omitted).

2001, c. 43, s. 62.

63. (Amendment integrated into c. S-4.2, s. 530.48).

2001, c. 43, s. 63.

64. (Amendment integrated into c. S-4.2, s. 530.49).

2001, c. 43, s. 64.

65. (Amendment integrated into c. S-4.2, s. 530.91).

2001, c. 43, s. 65.

66. (Amendment integrated into c. S-4.2, s. 530.92).

2001, c. 43, s. 66.

67. (Amendment integrated into c. S-4.2, s. 530.93).

2001, c. 43, s. 67.

68. (Amendment integrated into c. S-4.2, Schedule I).

2001, c. 43, s. 68.

69. (Omitted).

2001, c. 43, s. 69.

TRANSITIONAL AND FINAL PROVISIONS

70. The complaints commissioner in office on 1 January 2002 shall remain in office as the Health and Social Services Ombudsman until the expiry of his or her term of office.

2001, c. 43, s. 70.

71. The personnel of the complaints commissioner referred to in section 65 of the Act respecting health services and social services (chapter S-4.2) shall become the personnel of the Health and Social Services Ombudsman, and delegations made under section 65 shall be deemed to be delegations made under section 4 of this Act.

2001, c. 43, s. 71.

72. The complaint examination procedure established by the complaints commissioner pursuant to the provisions of section 57 of the Act respecting health services and social services (chapter S-4.2) shall continue to apply to the Health Services Ombudsman until 1 April 2002 or any later date determined by the Government; the new complaint examination procedure established by the Health Services Ombudsman under the provisions of section 10 of this Act shall apply from that date.

2001, c. 43, s. 72.

73. The examination of any complaint filed with the complaints commissioner before 1 January 2002 shall be continued by the Health Services Ombudsman in accordance with this Act.

2001, c. 43, s. 73.

74. The records and other documents held by the complaints commissioner on 1 January 2002 shall be transferred to the Health Services Ombudsman without further formality.

2001, c. 43, s. 74.

75. The complaints officer responsible for the application of the complaint examination procedure designated by the executive director of an institution under section 29 of the Act respecting health services and social services (chapter S-4.2) shall be deemed to be the local service quality commissioner of the institution until the board of directors makes the appointment provided for in section 30 of the Act respecting health services and social services enacted by section 41 of this Act on or before 1 April 2002 or any later date determined by the Government.

2001, c. 43, s. 75.

76. The complaint examination procedure established by an institution pursuant to the provisions of section 29 of the Act respecting health services and social services (chapter S-4.2) shall continue to apply to the institution until 1 April 2002 or any later date determined by the Government; the new complaint examination procedure established by by-law of the board of directors under the provisions of section 29 of the Act respecting health services and social services enacted by section 41 of this Act, shall apply from that date.

2001, c. 43, s. 76.

77. The provisions of sections 29 to 40 of the Act respecting health services and social services (chapter S-4.2) enacted by section 41 of this Act shall apply to the continuation of the examination of a complaint received by the institution before 1 April 2002 or any later date determined by the Government.

2001, c. 43, s. 77.

78. On or before 1 April 2002 or any later date determined by the Government, the board of directors of every institution must designate a medical examiner as provided for in section 42 of the Act respecting health services and social services (chapter S-4.2) enacted by section 41 of this Act.

2001, c. 43, s. 78.

79. Complaints concerning a physician, dentist or pharmacist received from 1 April 2002 or any later date determined by the Government shall be examined in accordance with the provisions of sections 41 to 59 of the Act respecting health services and social services (chapter S-4.2) enacted by section 41 of this Act.

2001, c. 43, s. 79.

80. The institutions referred to in section 51 of the Act respecting health services and social services (chapter S-4.2) enacted by section 41 of this Act shall have until 1 April 2002 or any later date determined by the Government to establish a review committee as provided for in that section.

2001, c. 43, s. 80.

81. The complaint examination procedure established by a regional board pursuant to the provisions of section 43 of the Act respecting health services and social services (chapter S-4.2) shall continue to apply to the regional board until 1 April 2002 or any later date determined by the Government; the new complaint examination procedure established by by-law of the board of directors under the provisions of section 62 of the Act respecting health services and social services enacted by section 41 of this Act shall apply from that date.

2001, c. 43, s. 81.

82. The complaints officer responsible for the application of the complaint examination procedure designated by the executive director of a regional board pursuant to the provisions of section 43 of the Act respecting health services and social services (chapter S-4.2) shall be deemed to be the regional service quality commissioner of the regional board until the board of directors makes the appointment provided for in section 63 of the Act respecting health services and social services enacted by section 41 of this Act on or before 1 April 2002 or any later date determined by the Government.

2001, c. 43, s. 82.

83. The examination of any complaint received by a regional board before 1 April 2002 or any later date determined by the Government shall be continued by the regional board pursuant to the provisions of sections 42 to 53.1 of the Act respecting health services and social services (chapter S-4.2) as they read before that date, in accordance with the complaint examination procedure and time limits applicable at that time.

Any complaint received by a regional board on or after 1 April 2002 or any later date determined by the Government which, under the provisions of the Act respecting health services and social services enacted by section 41 of this Act, is within the purview of the Health Services Ombudsman shall be referred without delay to the Health Services Ombudsman in accordance with this Act.

2001, c. 43, s. 83.

84. Corporation d’urgences-santé de la région de Montréal Métropolitain shall have until 1 April 2002 or any later date determined by the Government to appoint a member of its personnel to exercise the functions of regional service quality commissioner and to make a by-law establishing a complaint examination procedure in accordance with the provisions of section 61 of the Act respecting health services and social services (chapter S-4.2) enacted by section 41 of this Act.

Until that date, the applicable procedure shall continue to produce its effects.

2001, c. 43, s. 84.

85. The employees of a regional health and social services board within the meaning of the Act respecting health services and social services (chapter S-4.2) who are in office on 1 November 2001 and are assigned duties relating to the complaint handling process or the promotion of users’ rights, shall become members of the personnel of the Health Services Ombudsman insofar as they are covered by a decision of the Conseil du trésor made before 1 January 2003, in conformity with the conditions and procedure determined in the decision. Employees so transferred are deemed to have been appointed in accordance with the Public Service Act (chapter F-3.1.1).

The Conseil du trésor may determine the classification, remuneration and any other condition of employment applicable to the employees referred to in the first paragraph.

2001, c. 43, s. 85.

86. The Government may, by a regulation made before 1 January 2004, adopt any other transitional provision to rectify any omission and ensure the carrying out of this Act.

A regulation under this section is not subject to the publication requirement provided for in section 8 of the Regulations Act (chapter R-18.1). Notwithstanding section 17 of that Act, it comes into force on the date of its publication in the Gazette officielle du Québec or on any later date fixed therein.

2001, c. 43, s. 86.

87. (Omitted).

2001, c. 43, s. 87.

SCHEDULE I

Oath

I declare under oath that I will fulfil the duties of my office with honesty, impartiality and justice. I further declare under oath that I will not reveal or disclose, unless authorized by law, any confidential information that may come to my knowledge in the exercise of my functions.

2001, c. 43, schedule I.

REPEAL SCHEDULE

In accordance with section 9 of the Act respecting the consolidation of the statutes and regulations (chapter R-3), chapter 43 of the statutes of 2001, in force on 1 April 2002, is repealed, except section 87, effective from the coming into force of chapter P-31.1 of the Revised Statutes.