Coaticook clinic ends ties to errant doctor

The Coaticook Medical Clinic has permanently terminated its business and professional ties to Dr. Steven Monette after the latter pleaded guilty to sexual misconduct on Tuesday at his disciplinary hearing before the Quebec College of Physicians, the clinic made the announcement Tuesday in a press release.

The decision to fire Monette was made under the anti-harassment and discrimination policy, the code of ethics, and the contractual agreements governing members of the clinic, it added.

In March, it was announced that Monette would have to return to the Disciplinary Council at the end of May to face a charge of a sexual misconduct that included full sexual intercourse.

This is the second time Monette has been compelled to appear before the professional order in less than 18 months. He had been suspended for six months in October 2016. At the time, he pleaded guilty to three counts of ethics violations.

In the coming weeks, the clinic will contact Dr. Monette's clientele with more information on the findings of the CMQ Discipline Committee.

"The clinic will therefore be facing exceptional circumstances in the coming months,” the press release said. .”The professionals remaining in place will probably not be able to meet all the needs of Dr. Monette's orphaned patients. However, we will work in collaboration with the authorities concerned at the CIUSSS of Estrie-chus, the DRMG, and the MSSS, to promote the recruitment and entry into service of specialized nurse practitioners and family physicians to limit the inconveniences."

The Coaticook Medical Clinic has more than 13,500 patients and serves a territory of 1,339 km for home care. Some GMF physicians also work in the emergency room care or the follow-up of clients in long-term care at the Mrc-decoaticook Hospital Center.