Chief wants apology after Miramichi doctor posts 'disturbing' note to Indigenous patients

A Miramichi, N.B., doctor was asked to apologize Thursday for displaying a note in his office asking "native patients" not to request tranquillizers or pain medications.

The note, hand-printedin capital letters,was affixed to the reception desk at Dr.AllisterCarter's office.

"Attn: Native patients please don't ask fortranquillizersor pain medications," the note said.

Chief GeorgeGinnishof theNatoaganegFirst Nation said he wants an apology.

"It's quite disturbing in this day and age to see that type of a racial characterization," he said.

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MaxineGinnish, asocial worker at the Rising Sun Healing Centre inNatoaganeg,said she was shocked when she saw the note.

She hadheard about it from a friend and decided to visit the doctor's office Thursday morning to see for herself.

Reaction immediate

"I was very heartbroken," she said. "That's the first time I have seen written proof of such racism.

"I know my people struggle and it was very disheartening to see that from a medical professional."

Ginnishsaid she took a picture of the note and left the office without speaking to anyone.

The photo was posted toFacebook. Itwas shared more than 200 times and prompted emotional responses.

Ginnishsaid she informed the leaders in her community.

Carter would not comment toCBC News.

Ginnishhas also called for cultural sensitivitytraining.

Not confined to First Nations

"It's the wrong type of a thing for a health-care professional to say," he said.

Many First Nations people have problems with drugs, but addiction is notconfined to one race or region, he said.

Ginnishsaid he and otherband council members learned of thenote while in a meeting with Indigenous Affairs officials. He asked the band's liaison with Health Canada to look into it.

"I was advised a little while later they had talked to the doctor's office, and they hadremoved the note, but not before this was all over social media and provoking, of course, all types of angry responses in most cases."

Formal complaint

Ginnish said the responsewon't stop there. The band council says it will file a formal complaint with the College of Physicians and Surgeons of New Brunswick.

"'Do no harm' is a physician's motto," the chief said. "And if you are characterizing a race that are seeking appointments just to abuse prescription drugs, you question the overall integrity and intelligence of that individual."

Dr. Ed Schollenberg,registrar with the college, said calls came into his office about the note, so he called Carter's office.

It's a massive challenge to so many people and to see someone that's supposed to be trained to dispense medication as required displaying that type of ignorance.- GeorgeGinnish,NatoaganegFirst Nation chief

When asked if formal complaints to his office would be investigated, Schollenbergsaid the note was removed from Carter's reception desk and the matter was dealt with.

Nofurther action was needed, he said.

Theregistrar also said the note had been posted for a while, and was only now getting reaction. Although thenote could have been handled in a different way, the doctor believed hewas following a directive from Indigenous Affairs, Schollenbergsaid.

A department spokesperson discounted thepossibilityof such a directive.

Code of ethics

In anemailed statement, theNew Brunswick Medical Society said it couldn't condone the content ofthe note, adding that physiciansare to abide by a code of ethics.

"One of the fundamental responsibilities under this code of ethics is topractise the profession of medicine in a manner that treats the patient with dignity and as a person worthy of respect. Respect for persons is a fundamental principle of medical ethics. It excludes not only exploitation and discrimination, but also discourteous and insensitive behaviour."

The medical society addedit's theresponsibility of the college to receive and investigate complaints related to the behaviour of physicians.

"It is the College that is responsible for disciplinary actions in the profession."

Ginnish said his community has a good relationship with Horizon Healthin many areas, including mental health and the addiction challenges the entire region faces.

"It's a massive challenge to so many people, and to see someone that's supposed to be trained to dispense medication as required displaying that type of ignorance it's very upsetting, very troubling," he said.