Doctor won’t be disciplined for remarks to homeless people

A review committee has upheld the dismissal of a complaint filed with the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Alberta against a southern Alberta doctor.

In a decision reached last month, the committee stated that comments made by Dr. Lloyd Clarke to a group of homeless people outside a convenience store in Cardston in May 2018 “were intemperate and inappropriate in the circumstances,” but did not find there was sufficient evidence of unprofessional conduct to warrant a discipline hearing.

Lawyer Ingrid Hess filed a complaint on behalf of three Indigenous clients, who say the physician approached them and allegedly berated them for not having jobs and for loitering. The committee said Clarke also acknowledged making a comment about the bystanders wanting Tylenol 3s.

When the complaint was rejected, Hess submitted a request for review.

Hess said in written submissions that Clarke “displayed a negative and biased attitude towards a group of Indigenous people and he did that in a very public setting without regard to the actual circumstances of or plight faced by those targeted by his vitriol.

“You are asked to undertake this review of his practice with a view to determining if he has been objective and impartial when caring for Indigenous patients,” she wrote.

She also asked the committee that if concerns were raised upon review, that the doctor should be required to undertake cultural sensitivity or cultural bias awareness training.

But the complaint review committee said it did not feel that Clarke’s comments were indicative of a racist attitude. It noted that as part of an agreement with Alberta Health Services, the doctor is “consulting with the Indigenous community over the best and most constructive ways to address an apology to the individuals who were hurt and angered by his remarks.”