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
BREAKING King Charles' cancer treatment progressing well, says Buckingham Palace
King Charles III’s doctors are 'sufficiently pleased' with his cancer treatment and he is expected to return to public-facing duties, Buckingham Palace announced on Friday.
Orca calf that was trapped in B.C. lagoon for weeks swims free
An orca whale calf that has been stranded in a B.C. lagoon for weeks after her pregnant mother died swam out on her own early Friday morning.
'Unacceptable': Trudeau reacts after AFN chief says headdress taken from plane cabin
After the Assembly of First Nations' national chief said her headdress was taken from an airplane cabin this week, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau called the incident 'unacceptable' and a 'mistake' on the part of Air Canada.
Regina police officer injured after being accidentally shot by fellow officer's gun
An investigation is underway after a Regina police officer was accidentally shot by a fellow officer’s gun during the search of a house early Friday morning.
Sophie Gregoire Trudeau on navigating post-political life, co-parenting and freedom
Sophie Gregoire Trudeau says there is 'still so much love' between her and Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, as they navigate their post-separation relationship co-parenting their three children.
DEVELOPING Bird flu outbreaks: WHO weighs in on public health risk
The current overall public health risk posed by the H5N1 bird flu virus is low, the World Health Organization said on Friday, but urged countries to stay alert for cases of animal-to-human transmission.
Taylor Swift dons Montreal designer's dress in 'Fortnight' video
A pair of Montreal designers' work has now been viewed over 41 million times. Taylor Swift dons a Victorian throwback black gown in her latest music video, 'Fortnight', designed by UNTTLD due Simon Belanger and Jose Manuel Saint-Jacques.
From faulty kids' cribs to flammable kids' bathrobes, here are the recalls of the week
Health Canada issued recalls for various items this week, including kids’ bathrobes, cribs and henna cones.
Island near Mull of Kintyre for sale for US$3.1 million
An idyllic 453-acre private island is up for sale off the west coast of Scotland and it comes with sandy beaches, puffins galore, seven houses, a pub, a helipad and a flock of black-faced sheep.