Cambridge psychiatrist faces hearing

College of Physicians and Surgeons of Ontario will examine allegations against Dr. Christopher Doyle

A Cambridge psychiatrist is again facing allegations of professional misconduct.

The College of Physicians and Surgeons of Ontario will hold a hearing to decide if Dr. Christopher Doyle committed acts of professional misconduct and if he’s incompetent. A date has not yet been set. Doyle has taken a leave of absence from Cambridge Memorial Hospital while the matter is before the college.

Doyle was hired by Cambridge Memorial in 2010, less than a year after being disciplined by the college for professional misconduct after having a romantic relationship with a patient.

Cambridge Memorial’s chief of staff said at the time he was confident in the care provided by Doyle and ensured all conditions and limitations required by the college were being met.

In September 2009, the college’s discipline committee found that Doyle, who was then practising in Mississauga, committed an act of professional misconduct. According to the ruling, Doyle provided psychotherapy to a patient in 2005 and 2006. Doyle reported the therapeutic relationship ended in July 2006 due to an inability to maintain a strict doctor-patient relationship.

A romantic relationship developed later that summer. Before then, there had been no physical contact while the patient was under his care.

The committee ordered Doyle’s registration suspended for a year or six months if he completed three courses. A number of terms were imposed, including continued therapy with a psychotherapist, restrictions on care to female patients and clinical supervision. Doyle could apply for changes to the terms a year after returning to practice.

The notice of a hearing, dated April 10, states the college plans to introduce medical and hospital charts related to the patient care that is the subject of the new allegations.

Along with the allegation of incompetence, it’s alleged that Doyle engaged in unprofessional conduct in respect to videos posted online.

Cambridge Memorial is aware of the pending referral to the college’s discipline committee, chief of staff and vice-president of medical affairs Dr. Kunuk Rhee said in an email.

While the allegations do no relate to Doyle’s practice at the hospital, it “nevertheless takes any allegations of misconduct by members of their medical staff very seriously,” Rhee said. Doyle will not be treating patients at Cambridge Memorial “until and unless these matters are resolved to the full satisfaction of the hospital.”