General Information and Reporting Line
Protection for Persons in Care Complaint Reporting Form
General Information
What is PPCA?
Who is covered?
What does the Act do?
Text version of the Act
What is considered abuse?
Do I have to report abuse?
How do I report abuse?
Can action be taken against me for reporting abuse?
What happens when a report is made?
Designation and Transfer of Responsibility Amendment Regulation
STATISTICAL REPORTS (pdf)
Protection for Persons in Care Monthly, Quarterly, Annual Reports
BULLETINS
1-Duty to Report July 2000, updated May 2002
2-Anonymous Reporting July 2000
3-Copies of the Decision July 2000
4-Agency Responsibilities Oct 2000
5-Referral to the Police Jan 2001
6-Referral to a Professional College Jan 2001
7-Jurisdiction Jan 2004
8-Complaint Process Sept 2004
What is the Protection for Persons in Care Act?
The Protection for Persons in Care Act is legislation that promotes the safety of adults in care, by requiring you to report incidents where you have reasonable and probable grounds to suspect that there is, or has been, abuse against a client.
The Act came into effect in January 1998.
Who is covered by the Act?
The Protection for Persons in Care Act applies to all adults in publicly-funded care facilities including:
- hospitals;
- seniors lodges;
- group homes; and
- nursing homes
If you need clarification on whether your facility/residence comes under the Protection for Persons in Care Act, please call the reporting line.
What does the Act do?
The Protection for Persons in Care Act:
- defines abuse; makes it mandatory for people who believe abuse is occurring, or has occurred, to report it;
- establishes a toll-free phone line where people can report abuse;
- protects people who report abuse in good faith from retaliatory action;
- specifies penalties for failing to report abuse and for knowingly making false reports;
- sets out a process for investigating reports of alleged abuse; and
- requires a criminal record check for new employees and new volunteers of care facilities.
What is considered abuse under the Act?
- The Protection for Persons in Care Act defines abuse as:
- causing bodily harm, by such actions as hitting, kicking, or biting;
- causing emotional harm, by such actions as threatening, humiliating, harassing, or socially isolating a person in care;
- administering or prescribing medication for an inappropriate purpose;
- stealing money or valuables;
- failing to provide the necessities of life, such as food or medical attention; or
- subjecting a person in care to unwanted sexual contact or activity.
Do I have to report abuse?
YES. If you have reason to believe that an adult in a publicly-funded care facility is being intentionally abused, or has been abused, you must report it.
You could be fined up to $2,000 for not reporting abuse if you know or suspect it has occurred.
How do I report abuse?
Call 1-888-357-9339 (toll free)
Monday-Friday
8:15 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Closed between noon and 1:00 p.m.
After hours, or on holidays, please leave your name and phone number on the voice mail, and your call will be returned on the next working day.
If the alleged abuse involves a member of a professional association, such as a physician or a registered nurse, you report the matter directly to the professional association.
If the abuse is criminal in nature, or if a person's life or well-being is in immediate danger, call the police.
A written report can also be submitted by completing a Complaint Reporting Form. To submit a written report, print the form, complete all required information, and fax to the Protection for Persons in Care at (780) 415-8611 (you can use the Government Rite Line at 310-0000 for long distance calls), or you can mail it to:
Protection for Persons in Care
Alberta Seniors and Community Supports
Station M, Box 476
Edmonton, Alberta T5J 2K1
The reporter will be contacted by phone when the report is received to acknowledge receipt. Anonymous reports will not be accepted.
Can action be taken against me for reporting abuse?
It is an offence for anyone to take action against you for reporting abuse, provided you have reasonable grounds to believe abuse has occurred.
Individuals who take action against people who report abuse can be fined up to $5,000.
Care facilities that take action against people who report abuse can be fined up to $25,000.
Individuals who intentionally make false reports of abuse can be fined up to $2,000.
What happens when a report is made?
All reports are reviewed to determine if the Protection for Persons in Care Act provides the legal authority to investigate the matter. If so, an investigator is assigned to the report.
The investigator will make recommendations to Alberta Seniors and Community Supports, which may include reviewing the facility's funding, recommending that an employee be disciplined, or dismissing the report if there is no reason to believe abuse has occurred.
Alberta Seniors and Community Supports makes a decision on the recommendations.
A copy of the decision will be given to the person who made the report and to the care facility involved.
The decision is final and binding.
Where criminal activity is suspected, the report must be referred to the police.
The medical and clinical records of persons in care are private and will not be examined during and investigation without the consent of the person or their legal guardian.
