Healthcare professionals in B.C. will soon be required to call police whenever they treat a stab or gunshot wound.
"Often in cases of gunshots and stab wounds, a timely reaction by police is critical to preventing further violence, injury or death," said Solicitor General and Minister of Public Safety Rich Coleman. "Setting out the rules for reporting these incidents means that police will get the information they need to expedite their response."
The Citizen asked the ministry to clarify if that includes places like needle exchanges and Northern Health's after-hours wellness van. A spokesperson confirmed that this was true. However, the spokesperson added, "Someone with a gunshot or stab wound will need immediate medical treatment which a needle exchange would not be fit to provide. As such, whichever health facility provides treatment of the wound would be responsible for reporting it to police."
Contrary to that point, it was May 14, 2008 when John Gordon Goudreau slashed the throat of Rick Plasway during a street altercation. Needle exchange nurse Kurt Lawton was only seconds away. Plasway's life was saved; Goudreau was arrested and convicted.
This incident typifies the co-operation the new rules intend to foster between law enforcement, the healthcare field, and the public.
Under the new Gunshot and Stab Wound Disclosure Act, taking effect February 1:
- All gunshot wounds must be reported to police regardless of origin. Health professionals will not have to make any determination on criminality.
- Stab wounds will be reported at the discretion of the healthcare facility so that they are not required to report accidental or self-inflicted wounds.
- Health facilities must verbally report to police as soon as possible without comprising an individual's treatment. Required information includes the patient's name, if known, and the name and location of the healthcare facility where the patient is treated.
- Health facilities that are required to report include hospitals, doctor's offices and walk-in clinics.
