Another Ontario doctor has been called to the mat for questionable activities related to COVID-19 misinformation.
A week after a Richmond Hill doctor drew large crowds of people seeking vaccine exemptions, a Timiskiming-area doctor faces restrictions from the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Ontario (CPSO).
In a statement released this morning, the College said that allegations that Dr. Patrick Phillips is incompetent and engaged in “shameful, dishonorable or unprofessional conduct” have been referred to the Ontario Court of Physicians and Surgeons Discipline.
“In light of Dr. Phillips’ refusal to cooperate with the College’s investigation or to comply with our remediation efforts, the College is imposing additional restrictions,” the statement said.
The restrictions that went into effect at 11:59 p.m. on Sept. 27 prevent Phillips from providing medical exemptions regarding COVID-19 masks, vaccinations and testing. It is also prohibited from providing ivermectin, fluvoxamine, and atorvastatin in relation to the coronavirus, drugs that are unproven and potentially dangerous.
The allegations against Phillips relate to his communications on social media about the pandemic and related issues.
This includes making misleading, incorrect or inflammatory statements about vaccines, treatment and public health measures for COVID-19, according to the statement.
A date has not yet been set for Dr. Phillips’ hearing.
A Twitter account belonging to someone who identifies himself as Patrick Phillips, MD “a small-town doctor and lover of freedom,” shares opinions against the blockade and vaccines, repeating debunked myths and misinformation about COVID-19, comparing the pandemic and public health measures with the Third Reich.
By Phillips public record on the CPSO website shows that he graduated from Dalhousie University School of Medicine in 2016, has a postgraduate degree in family medicine, and is currently practicing at Englehart and the District Hospital near Kirkland Lake.
TO news report dated December 31, 2020, announced that Blanche River Health was welcoming Phillips, who moved from southern Ontario.
A hospital operator said Phillips does not have an office there, but is on a list of doctors who take turns at the emergency department.
In June, the Twitter account in Phillips’ name stated that he was under investigation after the Timiskaming Health Unit complained about his reports.
In a post dated September 25, he said: “I will not apologize for my words.”
Shae Greenfield, CPSO Senior Communications Advisor, said the university remains concerned about the Sept. 18-19 activities involving Dr. Christopher Hassell at a Richmond Hill clinic.
Residents and local businesses reported seeing hundreds of people at the York Medical Clinic on Yonge Street, purportedly to receive exemptions for the COVID-19 vaccine.
Greenfield said the College immediately began seeking to determine the veracity of the allegations against Hassell, but is prohibited from revealing further details.
Greenfield said he could not reveal if there are other doctors currently under investigation for spreading falsehoods about COVID-19.
“The RHPA prohibits us from disclosing the existence of an ongoing investigation in most cases, so I am afraid I cannot single out specific individuals who have not yet been sanctioned or referred to the Court.”
Another Ontario doctor, Brampton pediatrician Dr. Coal-winder gills, He received multiple warnings from the College earlier this year for a “lack of professionalism” for his comments on social media.
The Canadian Medical Association said in March that cases of doctors spreading falsehoods are rare, but they are a concern, as social media allows reaching a wide audience.
Reference-www.thestar.com