This Issue. July is a day in the life of... Be sure to check in on Facebook every Friday for a feature of one of our healthcare professionals!

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1 Newsletter Helping people navigate healthcare. July 2013 This Issue Spotlight on Criminal Law in Canada...Page 2 Upcoming Summer Events...Page 3 Featured Rock Star - Jessica McCallum...Page 4 Social Media Winner...Page 4 Events Recap...Page 5 July is a day in the life of... Be sure to check in on Facebook every Friday for a feature of one of our healthcare professionals! 1

2 Newsletter Helping people navigate healthcare. July 2013 SPOTLIGHT ON CRIMINAL LAW IN CANADA Since Rockdoc is taking over nursing services at the City Jail, we at Rockdoc wanted to explore how things work when a client is arrested and brought to Jail. Written by: Michael R. Shapray Criminal Defence Lawyer When providing medical services to persons engaged in the criminal justice system it is important to be conscious of the nature of the legal system and the status of the people being treated. Often medical attention is necessary shortly after a person has been arrested or detained by the police and transported to the police station or local jail. The criminal justice system in British Columbia is structured somewhat differently than in other provinces such as Ontario. One primary difference is that the decision on whether or not to approve criminal charges is made by the Crown prosecutor and not the police in B.C. While the police have the power to arrest and detain suspects, they do not have the power to lay charges in B.C. Once a suspect has been arrested (or an investigation has been completed), the police in British Columbia prepare a document called a Report to Crown Counsel and submit it to the local prosecutors office. A lawyer will then review the proposed charges and evidence gathered by the police and make a determination as to whether charges should be approved. If the Crown determines that there is not enough evidence to support criminal charges based on their charge approval standard (is there a substantial likelihood of conviction ) then the detainee will be released from police custody. Criminal Law in Canada is governed by the Criminal Code of Canada. A person s constitutional rights are set out in the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms. Once a person has been arrested or detained by the police, a number of procedural safeguards are triggered. At the forefront is the requirement that every person who is arrested or detained must be informed promptly of the reasons therefore and advised of their right to speak with a lawyer of their choice without delay. If a person indicates that they wish to speak to a lawyer, the police must hold off from eliciting evidence through further questioning before the detainee has been given the opportunity to contact a lawyer. The police are not entitled to circumvent this by using an agent to elicit evidence during this time. For example, the police could not direct a treating medical practitioner to interview a suspect about certain aspects of an investigation during this time period and then rely upon that evidence in presenting their case in court. Furthermore, there are procedural regimes in the Criminal Code which govern the taking of bodily substances such as blood or breath samples which must be followed in order to make that evidence admissible in court. Another issue to be aware of when dealing with people during the initial period of police detention is that the police have a 24 hour limit in which they must take steps to either release a person from custody or take them before a Justice for the purposes of a bail hearing. The Justice Institute of British Columbia has Justices available by telephone at all times for the purpose of processing people who have been detained during the night or weekend. Similarly, Crown Counsel employ weekend and evening prosecutors who deal with new arrests and the review of charge recommendations by the police during non-business hours. A working knowledge of some of these fundamental legal principles should assist in an understanding of the complexities surrounding the providing of medical services at the front end of the Canadian criminal justice system. Michael R. Shapray Criminal Defence Lawyer with Offices in Vancouver and Surrey, B.C. tel: web: mshapray@gmail.com 2 Rockdoc Consulting Inc W Broadway Vancouver, BC V5Z 1K7 T E. info@rockdocinc.com F Follow us on Facebook: Rockdoc Consulting Inc. Instagram: Rockdoconline

3 We re Hiring! As of June 1st Rockdoc launched its new Special Project Division. This division includes fun, challenging, exciting, and dynamic work environments in a variety of locations. Consider joining the Rockdoc Special Projects Division today. The first special project is the Vancouver City Jail commencing October Rockdoc is currently hiring full-time, part-time and casual Registered Nurses beginning September 1, 2013 and clinical work starting October 28. Full time positions will include full benefits. If you are interested or know of someone who might be interested please share this information with them and send a resume and cover letter to jobs@rockdocinc.com or call Upcoming Summer Events: July Believe Freedom Music Festival August Squamish Valley Music Festival August 10 - Lululemon s Seawheeze Half Marathon, Yoga & Concert August 25 - Ironman Canada at Whistler 3

4 Featured Rock Star: Jessica McCallum Jessica (Jess) is an incoming second year medical student at the University of British Columbia. Her very first event with Rockdoc was Live at Squamish in 2011 as an OFA 3 and EMR. In between Rockdoc and being a medical student, she is a leader in the Mass Gathering Medicine (MGM) Club, a joint effort between UBC medical students and MGM Interest Group. Jess and MGM have coordinated and ran workshops for students on Trauma Survey and Athletic Taping as well as provided students the opportunity to conduct research. Her passions include pre-hospital medicine, emergency medicine, critical care medicine, and of course Rockdoc! Jess also said, One of the reasons why I love Rockdoc so much is that events incorporate many of these fields, plus more. Moreover, My favourite part of working with Rockdoc Team is the diversity each member brings. Keeping people safe requires a wide variety of professionals and skill sets. Jessica s favourite event thus far is none other than the 2013 Tough Mudder Whistler! Thank you Jess for being such a fantastic addition to our Rockdoc team, you truly are a rock star! Social Media Winner CONGRATULATIONS!! Congratulations Shells Brown who was our social media winner of the month! Shells has won a custom made Rockdoc umbrella! 4

5 Tough Mudder Whistler Thank you to our amazing medical team at Tough Mudder for providing medical services for over 16,000 participants on June 22nd and 23rd in Whistler. An event with various on course obstacles proved to be a challenge that Rockdoc s crew was able to conquer. From dislocated shoulders, to sprained ankles to water rescues and everything in between, Rockdoc s crew was able to provide participants and spectators with a safe and enjoyable experience. Special thank you to our lifeguards, divers, ATV drivers, dispatch duo, obstacle teams, aid stations and our crew at main medical, your tenacity, handwork and upbeat attitudes made it an event and weekend to be remembered! Scotiabank Half Marathon The Vancouver Scotiabank Half Marathon and 10K was a great success thanks to our fantastic medical crew who took care of the runners and spectators. A big shout out to Erin Chamberlin and Jordan Myers who ran and responded to a patient half kilometer away from the finish line at English Bay to ensure the safety of this athlete. Several members of our team went above and beyond as medical professionals and we are grateful they are a part of our Rockdoc family. 5