Obstetrical, gynecological care patient complaints on the rise in Ontario, says patient ombudsman
New data released by Ontario’s Patient Ombudsman Craig Thompson reveals a concerning trend of increasing complaints about obstetrical and gynecological care in the province. Between April 2024 and March 2025, Thompson’s office received 168 complaints, a significant 29 per cent increase from the previous year. The most common grievances cited were insensitivity, poor communication, and a lack of trauma awareness among healthcare providers.
Complainants detailed experiences of receiving inadequate care in relation to factors such as a history of sexual assault, pregnancy complications, miscarriages, and difficult births. Many of the complaints were centered around the care provided during pregnancy, childbirth, and postnatal care in hospitals. There was also a rise in complaints related to services at community surgical and diagnostic centers that perform ultrasounds, X-rays, and surgical procedures.
Patient complaints across medical disciplines are on the rise nationally, with the Canadian Medical Protective Association reporting over 4,045 complaints in 2020, up from 3,379 in 2016. Communication issues were identified as a common underlying problem in many of these complaints.
The ombudsman’s data will be included in an upcoming annual report on the overall number and themes of health-system complaints in Ontario. This increase in complaints comes in the wake of an investigation into several patients’ allegations of neglectful care by Toronto ob-gyn Dr. Esther Park. The patients described traumatic experiences while under Dr. Park’s care, with some claiming they were not adequately informed about procedures performed at her clinic and the hospital where she worked for 25 years. Dr. Park ceased practicing medicine in April.
Dr. Heather Millar, an obstetrician and gynecologist, has been advocating for a trauma-informed approach to care, which involves being mindful of patients’ potential trauma histories and taking steps to avoid retraumatizing them. She has been working to integrate this approach into hospitals and medical training programs to ensure a more sensitive and patient-centered experience.
The Ministry of Health responded to the increase in complaints by emphasizing the importance of upholding the highest standards of patient care. The Society of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists of Canada (SOGC) refrained from commenting on the data until they have seen the full report.
Patient advocate Kathleen Finlay, CEO of the Center for Patient Protection, expressed concern over the lack of investment in improving the patient experience within the obstetrics and gynecology field. She highlighted the need for regulatory changes to ensure that women are treated with the respect and dignity they deserve during their healthcare experiences.
Overall, the increase in complaints about obstetrical and gynecological care in Ontario underscores the importance of addressing communication, sensitivity, and trauma awareness within the healthcare system. By implementing trauma-informed care principles and prioritizing patient-centered approaches, healthcare providers can work towards improving the overall quality of care for women in the province.
