Features Business Operations Commercial
Ornge introduces whistleblower policy

“We are truly committed to continuous improvement at Ornge, and that
means everyone should feel free to come forward with concerns, without
fear of reprisal,” said Ron McKerlie, Interim President and CEO of
Ornge. “Our new whistleblower policy will promote integrity throughout
the organization.”

The Whistleblower Policy
is meant to help employees fulfil Ornge’s mandate of compassionate
patient care with the highest standards of ethics and professionalism.
The policy will be implemented through the appointment of Grant Thornton
LLP – a leading Canadian accounting, audit and business advisory firm –
as the Independent Ethics Officer for Ornge.

As the Independent
Ethics Officer, Grant Thornton LLP will receive and track employee
disclosures in a safe and confidential manner, and will then examine and
assess each disclosure to determine if further steps are warranted. The
firm has full discretion to conduct investigations and make
recommendations, and will ensure the complainant is protected from
reprisal.

This measure builds on recent improvements at Ornge,
including the hiring of aviation executive Rob Giguere as the
organization’s Chief Operating Officer, an improved patient relations
process, the hiring of a Patient Advocate and the introduction of a new
Conflict of Interest Policy. The Ornge board has also recently appointed
Dr. Andrew McCallum as its new President and CEO, effective Jan. 21,
2013.