PASS GEORGIE’S LAW-

When a decision can change or end a life, there should be a secure record of what was said, what the patient wanted, and what was agreed to.

We are calling on the Government of Ontario to introduce and pass Georgie’s Law—the proposed Patient Safety and Recorded Care Act.

This law would require hospitals to record major care discussions, record the use of restraints, and provide secure bedside video on request, with strong protections for patient choice, dignity and privacy.

Patients deserve a voice. Families deserve answers. Everyone deserves an accurate record.

Written medical records are essential.

But a written summary cannot always capture an entire conversation, the questions someone asked, or the wishes a patient expressed.

When accounts conflict, patients and families should have access to evidence that helps establish what happened. Healthcare professionals should have that protection too.

Georgie’s Law would require:

1. Automatic audio and video recording of major care discussions
Record discussions about resuscitation and DNR decisions, “no escalation” plans, withholding or withdrawing treatment, consent, decision-making capacity, medical assistance in dying, and significant transfers.
A patient capable of making the recording decision could opt out. Recording would support—and never replace—informed consent and proper medical documentation.

2. Access to 24-hour bedside video on request

Allow a capable patient—or their authorized substitute decision-maker when the patient is incapable—to request continuous bedside video.

Care-team requests would require documented safety reasons and safeguards. The capable patient’s choice must remain central.

3. Automatic video recording when restraints are used

Record restraint use and preserve available footage surrounding serious incidents. Require clear documentation of why restraints were used, who authorized and applied them, and how long they remained in place.

A serious event should leave a reliable record.

4. Strong privacy and dignity protections
Require clear notice, secure recording systems, and a separate decision about recording during each episode of intimate care.

Protect roommates and visitors through appropriate camera positioning, privacy masking and audio controls. Provide funded privacy solutions where shared rooms cannot adequately protect everyone.

Patient safety and patient privacy must both be protected.

5. Secure storage and preservation of evidence

Encrypt and timestamp recordings, protect them against alteration, and log who accesses them.

Retain recordings for at least as long as the corresponding medical record. Suspend routine deletion when there is a complaint, death, serious injury, investigation, legal proceeding or preservation request.

Evidence must remain available when questions arise.

6. Meaningful access and accountability
Provide timely, controlled access for patients, authorized substitute decision-makers and designated representatives, with lawful access for investigators and oversight bodies.

Prohibit retaliation against anyone who requests recording, raises a concern or seeks access to evidence.

Require independent investigation of deliberate violations, with findings reported and consequences that can include fines and referrals to professional regulators.

Why this matters

A patient who cannot speak still has wishes.

A family asking questions deserves a process that can examine the evidence fairly.

A healthcare professional providing appropriate care deserves a record that can confirm it.

Recording can help clarify conversations, resolve disputes and preserve evidence for an independent review.

Accountability should not depend on who wrote the chart.

By signing, you are asking Ontario’s government and Members of Provincial

Parliament to bring Georgie’s Law forward, fund its implementation, and make secure recording a practical patient-safety protection in hospitals.

 

Sign and share this petition. Help protect the next patient—and the next family searching for answers.