Prince Albert doctor disciplined for inappropriate behaviour with patient

A Prince Albert doctor has received a one-month suspension for hugging a patient and asking to kiss her.

Dr. Yagan Pillay must also take a boundaries course, have a chaperone for future interactions with female patients, and pay the $27,000 cost of the College of Physicians and Surgeons investigation, associate registrar Bryan Salte said.

A penalty hearing was held on Sept. 16.

The incident happened March 29, 2012. The patient complained of stomach pain and a migraine headache and Pillay gave her a massage without permission, according to the College. However, the following hug and attempted kiss were the basis of the charges, Salte said.

“It certainly had an effect on the patient,” he said. “The patient was very disturbed by this and in fact sought counselling as a result of the doctor’s actions.”

The delay between the incident and the hearing was due to a lengthy investigation and the availability of Pillay’s legal counsel for a hearing date. The college has since hired another lawyer, among other measures, to speed up its future investigations, Salte said.

A call to Pillay’s office seeking comment was not immediately returned.