An amendment introduced today to the Hospital Act, as a part of a miscellaneous statutes bill by the Attorney General, will increase protection against potential financial abuse to patients in private hospitals and extended-care facilities.

The provision will prohibit any gift or provision in a patient's will for an employee that was made due to persuasion or inducement, unless the Public Guardian and Trustee gives consent.

The amendment also means that staff members cannot act under a representation agreement or power of attorney for a patient - unless the employee is a child, parent or spouse.

Currently, these measures are included in Section 18 of the Community Care and Assisted Living Act. The legislative amendment will formally add a similar provision to the Hospital Act for employees of private hospitals and extended care facilities. In order to avoid conflicts of interest, many health-authority and private facilities already have policies in place regarding staff accepting gifts.

For more on the amendments in the Miscellaneous Statutes Amendment Act CLICK HERE