photo : claudia hung |
David Rouselle , College President
Council believes that this is the right move to ensure the integrity of the Discipline Committee
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The story made all the newspapers : The College expresses disappointment about a decision of its disciplinary committee and then appeals the decision . My colleagues expressed confusion . Why would the College appeal a decision of its own committee ?
Well , the fact that the Discipline Committee operates as an independent tribunal , separate from the College appears to be little understood . That so many people , including doctors , are surprised by this fact is unsettling . But it is also hardly surprising . After all , the Discipline Committee operates out of the College building and a number of members of College Council – both public and physician – sit on the Committee . Little wonder that the distinction is blurred in most people ’ s minds .
Recently , in the context of a discussion about Bill 87 , the Protecting Patients Act , Council decided to request statute change that would result in greater independence of the Discipline Committee . Council believes that this is the right move to
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ensure the integrity of the Discipline Committee and is an important step in addressing the perception that the Discipline Committee lacks independence from the College .
Council supports the theme of accountability that runs through Bill 87 . We will , however , be making some recommendations for change in our submission to the government . Specifically , we wonder whether Bill 87 ’ s proposed new authority to allow the Minister to make regulations with respect to all aspects of the structure of the colleges ’ seven statutory committees is the best way to accomplish the government ’ s objectives . This includes making regulations that could change the composition , panel quorum , eligibility requirements and disqualification grounds for committees .
Council believes governance matters of significance should be included in the statute rather than regulation to ensure they are debated by the Legislature .
On the issue of committee composition , I would note that the integrity of College committee work
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Issue 1 , 2017 Dialogue 5 |