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

Ukraine war raises issues for energy sector

Ukraine war raises issues for energy sector
Russia's invasion of a sovereign European nation has had wide-ranging energy implications, and is now being used as ammunition by oil and gas sector proponents who offer it as proof that Canada must grow its domestic fossil fuel sector if it wants to ensure energy security.

Ukraine war raises issues for energy sector

442 COVID19 cases for Wednesday

442 COVID19 cases for Wednesday
There are 517 individuals hospitalized with COVID-19 and 73 are in intensive care. In the past 24 hours, 10 new deaths have been reported, for an overall total of 2,883.    

442 COVID19 cases for Wednesday

Woman sexually assaulted while walking with her two children

Woman sexually assaulted while walking with her two children
The man attempted to verbally engage with the woman before making an inappropriate comment and groping her. The suspect then hugged the victim before leaving the area.

Woman sexually assaulted while walking with her two children

The Province is providing $195M in funding in life sciences

The Province is providing $195M in funding in life sciences
Kahlon says the province wants to leverage B-C's contributions to developing and manufacturing COVID-19 vaccines towards learning how to deal with future pandemics.

The Province is providing $195M in funding in life sciences

Lawyer says no proof of corruption needed at former clerk's trial at legislature

Lawyer says no proof of corruption needed at former clerk's trial at legislature
Gavin Cameron accused special prosecutors of trying to "rewrite history" in his closing arguments at James's trial in B-C Supreme Court on charges of fraud and breach of trust.

Lawyer says no proof of corruption needed at former clerk's trial at legislature

New calf among southern resident killer whales

New calf among southern resident killer whales
Three separate pods — K, J and L — make up the endangered southern resident population of just over 70 whales, which mostly travel off the coasts of British Columbia, Washington and Oregon.

New calf among southern resident killer whales