Close X
Thursday, November 28, 2024
ADVT 
National

B.C. doctor suspended over COVID-19 allegations

Darpan News Desk The Canadian Press, 29 Mar, 2022 02:06 PM
  • B.C. doctor suspended over COVID-19 allegations

VANCOUVER - The College of Physicians and Surgeons of British Columbia says it has suspended a doctor from practising while it completes an investigation into allegations that he circumvented COVID-19 public health orders.

The interim suspension order, effective March 24 but posted on the college's website on Monday, affects Dr. Stephen Malthouse, a family practitioner on Denman Island.

The order says an inquiry panel hasn't decided on the merits of the allegations, but it has determined there would be "a real risk of harm to the public" if Malthouse continued to practise without restriction.

It says Malthouse has not responded to allegations that he signed COVID-19 vaccine and mask exemption forms based on false statements and used his status as a doctor to "circumvent public health orders."

It finds a "high likelihood" that Malthouse would continue those actions if the interim order were not issued and it says although the allegations have not been proven, the suspension will remain in effect pending completion of the probe.

Malthouse did not immediately respond to messages requesting comment about his suspension but when the college warned doctors they could be penalized for contradicting COVID-19 public health guidance he urged the regulator to discuss practitioners questions with them.

"We really need to have scientific debate about these topics rather than just having rules and regulations and attempts just to make doctors follow the policy alone," Malthouse told The Canadian Press in May 2021.

Malthouse wrote an open letter to provincial health officer Dr. Bonnie Henry in October 2020 alleging masks are "useless and even harmful" against COVID-19 and claimed people were "rarely" becoming ill from the virus.

He has also spoken at rallies against public health measures and appeared in a video posted by Liberty Coalition Canada alongside other B.C. and Ontario doctors who oppose measures to limit the spread of COVID-19.

The college statement said it issued the interim suspension against Malthouse under section 35 of the Health Professions Act after its inquiry panel found "restrictions on Dr. Malthouse’s practice would not be sufficient to protect the public from the concerns identified in this case."

Photo courtesy of Istock. 

MORE National ARTICLES

Repeal a ban on oil tankers off B-C's north coast if elected party leader: Pierre Poilievre

Repeal a ban on oil tankers off B-C's north coast if elected party leader: Pierre Poilievre
Poilievre also says he would bring in new laws to support the energy sector and protect the environment — and he promises the work will include consultation with First Nations. 

Repeal a ban on oil tankers off B-C's north coast if elected party leader: Pierre Poilievre

No relief at the pumps with gas hitting the $2 mark

No relief at the pumps with gas hitting the $2 mark
That's a jump of almost 20 cents per litre in barely one week and Dan McTeague with Canadians for Affordable Energy says the war in Ukraine is a key reason.    

No relief at the pumps with gas hitting the $2 mark

Trudeau heads to Europe to meet allies amid fallout from Russia's invasion of Ukraine

Trudeau heads to Europe to meet allies amid fallout from Russia's invasion of Ukraine
Trudeau will spend next week in meetings in London, Berlin, Riga, Latvia and Warsaw, Poland, saying he is joining partners to stand against Moscow’s aggression.

Trudeau heads to Europe to meet allies amid fallout from Russia's invasion of Ukraine

Charges laid against 26 year old for Surrey shooting

Charges laid against 26 year old for Surrey shooting
Surrey RCMP Serious Crime Unit took conduct of the investigation and identified a possible suspect early on. In March 2020, a search warrant was executed on the suspect’s residence. The suspect was arrested and later released while the investigation continued.

Charges laid against 26 year old for Surrey shooting

Allen Schoenborn man who killed his 3 children, granted unescorted leave

Allen Schoenborn man who killed his 3 children, granted unescorted leave
The lawyer for Allen Schoenborn has told the B-C review board during an annual hearing that his client has been on a "generally positive trajectory" since being granted day leave.

Allen Schoenborn man who killed his 3 children, granted unescorted leave

Crown has failed to prove its case beyond a reasonable doubt at the trial of former clerk

Crown has failed to prove its case beyond a reasonable doubt at the trial of former clerk
Lawyer Gavin Cameron continued his closing arguments for a second day in B-C Supreme Court. James was charged with fraud and breach of trust based on allegations of misspending.    

Crown has failed to prove its case beyond a reasonable doubt at the trial of former clerk