As TCM Professionals are we Good Samaritans?

by Les Moncrieff, R.Ac.

On the surface, the present state of polarization within in the TCM community appears to come down to the firing of our Registrar, Randy Wong and how exactly this dismissal process was conducted. However this particular incident may only be one example of a much greater degree of imbalance or pathology with in our professional regulatory body.

On reflecting how we arrived at this polarization with such an intense degree of anger and misunderstanding, I attempted to review and consider why and how this may have occurred. I believe the essence is in the act.

As TCM health care providers in Canada we must become familiar with a simple act called the “Good Samaritan Act”. This act goes to the heart of what it is to be caring for the health and well being of others. By ignoring the suffering of a patient when we have the skills and ability to ease the suffering, we violate this act and become a responsible participant in this suffering.

The Good Samaritan Act. (RSBC 1996) Chapter 172
 A person who renders emergency medical services or aid to an ill, injured or unconscious person, at the immediate scene of an accident or emergency that has caused the illness, injury or unconsciousness, is not liable for damages for injury to or death of that person caused by the person’s act or omission in rendering the medical services of aid unless that person is grossly negligent.

Exceptions - Section 1 does not apply if the person rendering the medical services or aidis employed expressly for that purpose, ordoes so with a view to gain.

This act is based on a biblical story from Luke 10:25-37, when Jesus said, “Love your neighbor as yourself” and was asked, “And who is my neighbor?” In reply Jesus said: A man was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho, when he fell into the hands of robbers. They stripped him of his clothes, beat him and went away, leaving him half dead.

A priest happened to be going down the same road, and when he saw the man, he passed on the other side. So too, a Levite, when he came to the place and saw him, passed by on the other side. But a Samaritan, as he traveled, came to where the man was; and when he saw him, he took pity on him. He went to him and bandaged his wounds, pouring on oil and wine. Then he put the man on his own donkey, took him to an inn and took care of him.

The next day he took out two silver coins and gave them to the inn-keeper. ”Look after him” he said, “ and when I return, I will reimburse you for any extra expense you may have.”

Which of these three do you think was the neighbor to the man who fell into the hands of robbers?”…. As TCM professionals, we cannot simply ignore the clear violation of human rights. If we chose to ignore such suffering or injustice, then we should not complain or be surprised when we experience such violations to our own personal human rights.

The TCMA executive and membership have taken a stand to defend what we believe to be an injustice which has imposed much suffering upon one individual and his family. We have made a conscious choice to intervene on behalf of Randy Wong who we believe to be wrongfully accused and dismissed from his position as our registrar. We believe that Canadian law and legal due process was ignored in a clear violation of human rights.

The CTCMA board were elected on a platform of open communication and service to the registrants. I have seen very little communication from this board and an abundance of self serving behavior. Unfortunately, as registrants, we will all have to pay for the decisions and actions of this board.

The law courts will ultimately decide and the court of public opinion will also decide the future of our profession. The integrity of our profession must be based on a foundation of sound principles of healing and natural justice and individuals who are willing to ensure these principles are maintained. It is the responsibility of each registrant to make a choice. If we chose to ignore such violations, these in-actions will eventually be reflected in our own professional practice and daily life.

I personally did not know Mr. Wong prior to his dismissal and was not particularly active on the TCM political stage. However when I did eventually become aware of the evidence surrounding this case, it became clear that a decision to intervene or not, was required.

The QTCMA have stated that they have decided not to become involved in this case. This is not exactly so. The QATCMA is very much involved, as the current CTCMA board is largely composed of past QATCMA directors. This reality was a result of a very active and orchestrated election process to gain control of the college board after the past CTCMA board were retired.

Many may view the TCMA as attacking the CTCMA and therefore causing harm to the profession. This view is a serious misunderstanding of our intention. The TCMA directors and membership believe that certain CTCMA board directors have violated basic ethics of governance and should be accountable for their actions. If such actions go uncontested, the CTCMA is weakened and may eventually destroy itself, and our profession.

I am asking the registrants of our profession to take an active political stand and get informed. Do not stand by and neglect this “Act”. “Love your neighbor as yourself.” This is the essence of good TCM practice. And for those practitioners that are not particularly fond of their neighbors, consider the serious implications of dealing with this issue through the courts. This and other legal cases which are pending will very likely bankrupt the CTCMA. We, the registrants will have to pay the price for the college’s refusal to mediate and/or accept an independent review of this affair. (in a very large increase in our dues).

— Why not mediate?
— Why does the college not permit an “independent review?”
— Why must this be settled in the most expensive, confrontational and public manner?