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

B.C. could drop more COVID restrictions: top doc

B.C. could drop more COVID restrictions: top doc
Dr. Bonnie Henry says a decline in hospitalizations, immunity from vaccination and the availability of at-home rapid tests point the way forward to normal activities like high school graduations that youth in particular need to feel connected to others.

B.C. could drop more COVID restrictions: top doc

466 COVID19 cases for Tuesday

466 COVID19 cases for Tuesday
There are 523 individuals hospitalized with COVID-19 and 83 are in intensive care. In the past 24 hours, no new deaths have been reported, for an overall total of 2,873.

466 COVID19 cases for Tuesday

Closing arguments underway in B.C. clerk case

Closing arguments underway in B.C. clerk case
Brock Martland made the allegation as he began closing arguments in the Crown's case against Craig James, who has pleaded not guilty to two counts of fraud over $5,000 and three counts of breach of trust.

Closing arguments underway in B.C. clerk case

Vancouver police have charged a man following an alleged carjacking in a westside neighbourhood.

Vancouver police have charged a man following an alleged carjacking in a westside neighbourhood.
They say a 58-year-old woman was allegedly forced out of her car Sunday morning in Fairview. They say officers found the car and the suspect soon after in Strathcona.

Vancouver police have charged a man following an alleged carjacking in a westside neighbourhood.

Canada expected to see 'temperature roller-coaster Spring-Forecast

Canada expected to see 'temperature roller-coaster Spring-Forecast
Sherilee Harper of the University of Alberta and one of the 330 authors of the summary report from the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, there will be impacts on human health and well-being. She says fleeing wildfires and flooding caused by climate change imposes mental-health costs.

Canada expected to see 'temperature roller-coaster Spring-Forecast

BC health officials to provide latest on COVID19

BC health officials to provide latest on COVID19
Officials say the number of people in hospitals due to COVID-19 declined again with 549 patients in hospital as of yesterday, a drop from 599 on Friday.

BC health officials to provide latest on COVID19