Complaints Process
The Registered Psychiatric Nurses Association of Saskatchewan regulates psychiatric nursing as a distinct profession. As a professional association, RPNAS regulates the registration and licensing of psychiatric nurses in Saskatchewan.
Filing a complaint
Making a Complaint
One way that the RPNAS fulfils their mandate of public protection is to receive and investigate complaints that are brought against Registered Psychiatric Nurses (RPNs), Graduate Psychiatric Nurses or former Registered Psychiatric Nurses. *
Who Can Make a Complaint?
Complaints can be made by employers, other RPNs, or members of the public.
The RPNAS takes complaints seriously. All written complaints are reviewed by the Professional Conduct Committee of the Association. Public protection is always our priority.
*If the complaint is about a former RPN it may be dealt with within 2 years of the cancellation of the psychiatric nurse’s registration. The complaint must relate to conduct that occurred prior to the cancellation.
How to File a Complaint
A complaint must be sent in writing. You can send it either by postal mail or email. Please send the complaint to the attention of the RPNAS Executive Director.
Information to Include
The person filing the complaint must state the full name of the Registered Psychiatric Nurse (RPN) or Graduate Psychiatric Nurse against whom the complaint is being made. The complaint must include a description of the incident or conduct in as much detail as possible and be signed by the complainant.
These details include:
- What happened
- The date(s) and time(s) at which the incident or behaviour happened
- The names of persons involved
- To whom the incident or behaviour was reported and when
- Any other details
The complaint should also include a description of:
- Any person affected by what the RPN or Graduate Psychiatric Nurse did or did not do
- Any witnesses to what happened
- Other persons who may have information about what happened
Where Should I send the Complaint?
Registered Psychiatric Nurses Association of Saskatchewan
#205 – 4401 Albert Street
Regina, SK S4S 6B6
E-mail: info@rpnas.com
Investigation Process
Information about the Complaint Process
When a complaint is received, the Executive Director checks that the complaint contains all the necessary information listed in the “Filing a Complaint” section. If any information is missing, the Executive Director will contact the complainant.
After RPNAS receives a complaint, the RPNAS sends two letters:
* A letter to the complainant stating that the complaint has been received.
* A letter to the Registered Psychiatric Nurse or Graduate Psychiatric Nurse who is the subject of the complaint. This includes a copy of the complaint and a request that the registrant respond to the complaint, in writing.
All correspondence and documents relating to the complaint are forwarded to the Professional Conduct Committee for review.
Professional Conduct Committee
The Professional Conduct Committee is composed of RPNs and a public representative and they review the complaint and determines how to best deal with the matter.
When the Committee reviews a complaint, there are certain actions they are permitted to take. The Committee’s options are identified in section 24(1) of the Registered Psychiatric Nurses Act and include:
- Resolving the complaint informally
- Referring the matter to the discipline committee
- Directing that no further action take place
- Censuring the member
- Ordering an investigation into the matter
- Entering into an agreement with the member*
- Accepting a voluntary surrender of the members certificate of registration
- Taking any other action that it considers appropriate in the circumstances*
The member and complainant must both agree with the option(s) chosen by the Investigation Committee.
If the complainant does not agree with the action, the complainant can appeal the Committee’s decision to the RPNAS Council.
If the RPN against whom the complaint was made does not agree to the action, the matter may be forwarded for full investigation or to the Discipline Committee for a full hearing into the matter. The Discipline Committee Duties are spelled out in Section 26 of The Registered Psychiatric Nurses Act.
* See section 24[2](a)(b) & section 26