Island Health disputes B.C. doctor's claims that suspension is in retaliation to public criticism
A Port Hardy, B.C., doctor has been temporarily barred from practicing emergency medicine in the Island Health region.
Dr. Alex Nataros had his ER privileges suspended on Feb. 2 the same day he publicly called for the resignation of a senior Island Health leader.
Nataros claims Island Health is trying to muzzle him and sully his reputation, while the health authority says his suspension stems from concerns over patient safety.
Nataros says his suspension has other doctors scrambling to staff the two emergency departments that he works at in Port Hardy and Salt Spring Island, B.C.
"It is undeserved, it is cruel, it is having significant personal and professional ramifications on my life as a physician [who] just wants to provide care to my patients," he told CTV News on Wednesday.
CTV News asked B.C. Health Minister Adrian Dix if Nataros was being disciplined for being critical of the health system.
"No, that would never happen," said Dix.
In a rare move, Island Health's chief medical health officer, Dr. Ben Williams, addressed the employee matter.
"Because of Dr. Nataros' misleading statements, because he has made this issue public in a very false way, I have to provide this information to you," he told CTV News.
He says the suspension comes as Island Health investigates a patient complaint, and after it had received concerns from other members of the local care team about patient safety.
Williams also says his decision to suspend Nataros' emergency department privileges was made before he was aware that the North Island doctor was calling for his resignation, and that it did not influence the matter.
Nataros says he believes the patient complaint was "coerced" and written by an Island Health official.
Island Health denies that claim, and Nataros says he has hired a lawyer and will speak publicly about the matter again on Friday in Victoria.
As for the hole left in the emergency department in Port Hardy, Island Health says all shifts that Nataros was scheduled to work have been filled by other physicians.
While the root of exactly what happened remains unclear, the result is one less doctor working in emergency medicine in the North Island in an already short-staffed system.
Island Health says Nataros' suspension is in effect until a full investigation into the patient safety complaint is completed.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Canadian gov't proposes new foreign influence registry as part of wide-spanning new bill
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's government is proposing a suite of new measures and law changes aimed at countering foreign interference in Canada, amid extensive scrutiny over past meddling attempts and an ever-evolving threat landscape.
Boeing Starliner capsule's first crewed test flight postponed
The long-awaited first crewed test flight of Boeing's new Starliner space capsule was called off for at least 24 hours over a technical issue that launch teams were unable to resolve in time for the planned Monday night lift-off.
Teacher charged in historical sexual assault of Calgary teenage girl
Calgary police have charged a teacher with the alleged sexual assault of a teenage girl more than 20 years ago.
Winnipeg man admits to killing four women, argues he's not criminally responsible
Defence lawyers of Jeremy Skibicki have admitted in court the accused killed four Indigenous women, but argues he is not criminally responsible for the deaths by way of mental disorder – this latest development has triggered a judge-alone trial rather than a jury trial.
Man banned from owning animals after fatal Calgary dog attack
The owner of three Calgary dogs that got loose and mauled a woman to death in 2022 has been ordered to pay a $15,000 fine within one year and banned from owning any animal for 15 years.
East-end Ottawa family dealing with massive rat infestation
Residents in Ottawa’s Elmridge Gardens complex are dealing with a rat infestation that just won’t go away. Now, after doing everything they can to try to fix the issue, they are pleading with the city to step in and help.
Mediterranean staple may lower your risk of death from dementia, study finds
A daily spoonful of olive oil could lower your risk of dying from dementia, according to a new study by Harvard scientists.
An El Nino-less summer is coming. Here's what that could mean for Canada
As Canadians brace themselves for summer temperatures, forecasters say a weakening El Nino cycle doesn’t mean relief from the heat.
Newfoundland and Labrador latest province to tighten rules on Airbnbs
Newfoundland and Labrador is the latest jurisdiction to bring in stricter rules for short-term rentals, with a coming set of regulations that will force operators to register with the provincial government.