Doctor charged with voyeurism allowed to practise with conditions
The registrar and CEO of the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Nova Scotia said the charges of voyeurism against a New Glasgow doctor presented a highly unusual situation.
As soon as the College heard about the criminal charges filed against Dr. Rafid Al-Nassar, Dr. Gus Grant said steps were taken to form a committee to investigate the matter.
Al-Nassar has been accused of using a video camera in a bathroom used by staff at the West Side Medical Centre in New Glasgow. In the interest of public safety and integrity for the profession, the College made the decision to impose an interim suspension to provide a chance to investigate further.
“The committee has powers that are laid out in our legislation, which is the Medical Act,” Grant explained.
As time has allowed further investigation, he said the committee made the decision that the suspension could be replaced with a combination of restrictions that the committee believes would adequately alleviate concerns for patient safety.
According to a notice from the College issued last week, Al-Nassar is required to have a chaperone present for all patient encounters, except those that occur in the operating room. A College sign regarding this requirement is to be placed in all waiting rooms and examination rooms where patients are seen.
Grant said the committee will continue to investigate.
“Here’s the thing. It’s not a final disposition. It’s not a finding. It’s simply a step taken by an investigating committee.”
The Nova Scotia Health Authority confirmed in an email to The News that it has been in contact with Dr. Rafid Al Nassar. “It may take some time for Dr. Al-Nassar to meet these requirements to be able to resume practice in the area. We understand w that his patients are concerned about being able to access care.”
An employee of the West Side Medical Centre said that Al-Nassar is no longer working there.
The email from the Health Authority said that a number of options exist for people to access care.
For routine health care, patients can call 811 to speak with a registered nurse for advice; they can visit the Aberdeen Walk-In Clinic in New Glasgow, or for mental health concerns, they can call the 24-hour mental health crisis line at 1-888-4298167. For emergency health services, patients should call 911 or go to the Aberdeen Hospital Emergency Department.