B.C. man stunned to discover physiotherapist called him 'redneck,' 'lowlife' in medical file
A B.C. health authority is investigating after a complaint from a Merritt man who said he was stunned to find hurtful and derogatory comments made about him in a medical file.
Robert Munro, 37, has been delivering furniture for the past 14 years.
But, he said, in December, he injured his back at work.
“All I felt was something in my back stretch and go pop,” he said.
He hasn’t been able to work since.
He filed a claim with WorkSafeBC, and said last week, he met with a physiotherapist at Royal Inland Hospital in Kamloops.
“He was really nice, to my face anyway,” Munro said.
But when he checked his WorkSafeBC file online after the appointment, he said he was shocked to find what the physiotherapist had written.
The physiotherapist described Munro as “redneck hick to death, uneducated, seems to fear his own shadow.”
The physiotherapist also wrote: “I think he’s playing the system more than he should.”
It was also noted that Munro “lives in Merritt and he has no license."
"Would not be surprised," the file continued. "His uneducated, lowlife style led him to a DUI.”
“When I read that, I didn’t know what to think. I was already down in the dumps due to me not working. It wasn’t right,” Munro said. “I got a hold of my caseworker (at WorkSafeBC) and she said, 'You’re not going back to him.'"
CTV News tried to reach the physiotherapist but did not hear back.
Munro filed a complaint with Interior Health, which says an investigation is underway.
“We have only learned of these concerns earlier this week," said Jayme Newton, Interior Health's director of clinical operations for the Thompson Cariboo region, in an email to CTV News.
"We can say that the language from this transcript is not what we would expect from an Interior Health employee regarding a patient or client and we will be following up on these concerns … While I cannot speak to individual personnel issues, Interior Health does have a code of conduct that outlines expectations for all employees, including our duty to be respectful and compassionate to the individuals we serve.”
WorkSafeBC wouldn’t speak to the specific claim due to privacy issues, but said in an email that the organization “requires its contractors to follow (its) Code of Business Ethics and Behaviour."
"This includes conducting oneself in a respectful and considerate manner,” the email continued. "In cases where our code of conduct has been breached, WorkSafeBC will conduct a thorough internal investigation.”
Munro said a WorkSafeBC investigation is already underway and that the hurtful comments have been removed from the file. However, he took screenshots of them and provided a copy to CTV News.
Munro thinks the physiotherapist should lose his job. At the very least, he wants an apology.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Grandparents killed in wrong-way crash on Hwy. 401 identified
A 60-year-old man and a 55-year-old woman killed in a wrong-way crash on Highway 401 earlier this week have been identified by the Consulate General of India in Toronto.
Police arrest 3 Indian nationals in killing of B.C. Sikh activist Hardeep Singh Nijjar
Three people have been arrested and charged in the killing of B.C. Sikh activist Hardeep Singh Nijjar – as authorities continue investigating potential connections to the Indian government.
Suter scores late goal, clinches series for Canucks
Pius Suter scored with 1:39 left and the Vancouver Canucks advanced to the second round of the NHL playoffs with a 1-0 victory over the Nashville Predators on Friday night in Game 6.
TD worst-case scenario more likely after drug money laundering allegations: analyst
TD Bank Group could be hit with more severe penalties than previously expected, says a banking analyst after a report that the investigation it faces in the U.S. is tied to laundering illicit fentanyl profits.
Quebec man who threatened Trudeau, Legault online sentenced to 20 months in jail
A Quebec man who pleaded guilty to threatening Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and Premier François Legault has been sentenced to 20 months in jail.
Human remains found in rural Sask. possibly a decade old, RCMP say
RCMP say human remains found in a rural area in central Saskatchewan may have been there for a decade or more.
Britney Spears 'home and safe' after paramedics responded to an incident at the Chateau Marmont, source tells CNN
A source close to singer Britney Spears tells CNN that the pop star is 'home and safe' after she had a 'major fight' with her boyfriend on Wednesday night at the Chateau Marmont in West Hollywood.
Canadian doctor concerned new weight-loss drug Wegovy may be used inappropriately
As Wegovy becomes available to Canadians starting Monday, a medical expert is cautioning patients wanting to use the drug to lose weight that no medication is a ''magic bullet,' and the new medication is meant particularly for people who meet certain criteria related to obesity and weight.
Drew Carey is never quitting 'The Price Is Right'
Drew Carey took over as host of 'The Price Is Right' and hopes he’s there for life. 'I'm not going anywhere,' he told 'Entertainment Tonight' of the job he took over from longtime host Bob Barker in 2007.