Montreal-area doctor and advocate vindicated after ethics complaint withdrawn
A physician's efforts to save the Lachine Hospital emergency room sparked an ethics complaint from the McGill University Health Centre (MUHC) against Dr. Paul Saba, a health-care advocate, in December 2021.
That complaint was eventually withdrawn.
The MUHC accused Saba of making non-factual, inaccurate, and unverifiable statements in the media and of interfering in gynecological services, a medical domain outside of his particular qualifications.
Former MUHC president and executive director Dr. Pierre Gfeller wrote in the complaint that "this attitude on the part of Dr. Saba has the potential to cause concern among the population of Lachine."
The MUHC also alleged that by speaking out about the impact of losing gynecological services, Saba interfered in a medical domain for which he has no particular qualifications.
"I think they really wanted to silence me," Saba told CTV News. "I believe that was their intention. It was clear that they did not approve of what I was saying to the media about the dangers of closing the emergency room at Lachine Hospital because they had a different plan of action. I believe that was a mistake on their part."
The allegations had the potential to put his medical licence in jeopardy.
The College of Physicians, however, confirmed that Gfeller withdrew his request for an investigation into Saba.
"This file is therefore closed as of today without further action on my part. No breach of ethics has been found," a letter from January signed by Dr. Jean Pelletier reads.
Gfeller left his post at the MUHC in January. He became interim director general College of Physicians in February.
Saba said that doctors have a duty to speak to the public about health-care issues and should not be intimidated. He hopes that his experience will encourage other health-care professionals to voice their concerns.
"I continue to advocate for not only the emergency room at Lachine Hospital but community ERs around the province," he said. "This is bad health-care policy and going to cause harm to the public. Approximately 10 ERs have partially or completely closed in the province in the last few years."
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Work stoppage possible as WestJet issues lockout notice to maintenance engineers' union
A lockout notice issued by WestJet to a union representing aircraft maintenance engineers could result in a work stoppage next week.
'I just can't believe that it took so long': Body found in wreckage 3 months after deadly fire
A man accused of arson in a January Old Strathcona apartment fire is expected to be charged with manslaughter after a body was discovered in the burned building late last month.
No proof man lied to brother about number of kittens born in litter, B.C. tribunal rules
A man was denied a $5,000 payout from his brother after a B.C. tribunal dismissed his claim disputing how many kittens were born in a litter.
Bodies recovered in Mexico likely 2 Australians, 1 American who went missing: officials
Three bodies recovered in an area of Baja California are likely to be those of the two Australians and an American who went missing last weekend during a camping and surfing trip, the state prosecutor’s office said Saturday.
BREAKING London Drugs begins 'gradual reopening' on 7th day after cyberattack
Almost a week after all London Drugs stores across Western Canada abruptly closed amid a cyberattack, they began a "gradual reopening" on Saturday.
Quebec police hand out hundreds of tickets to Hells Angels and other bikers before 'first run' meeting
Quebec provincial police handed out hundreds of fines to Hells Angels members and other supporting motorcycle clubs who met for their 'first run' in a small town near Sherbrooke, Que.
Auston Matthews skates ahead of Game 7, status unclear with season on the line
Auston Matthews was back on the ice with his teammates Saturday.
Russia puts Ukrainian President Zelenskyy on its wanted list
Russia has put Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on its wanted list, Russian state media reported Saturday, citing the interior ministry’s database.
Snakes almost on a plane: U.S. TSA discovers a bag with small snakes in passenger's pants
According to an X post by the Transportation Security Administration, officers at the Miami International Airport found the small bag of snakes hidden in a passenger's trousers on April 26 at a checkpoint.