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Complaints and Discipline


The College of Physicians and Surgeons of Newfoundland and Labrador investigates and resolves complaints about physicians.

The Complaints department aims to provide a fair, effective and open complaints and discipline process.

The College's approach acknowledges that:

• discipline can be a necessary step in protecting the public;

• the context and circumstances surrounding a complaint can be perceived differently by the physician and the complainant; and

• complaints can be useful in identifying areas for improvement in a physician’s practice and professional interactions.

Disciplinary Information about Physicians

Under the Medical Act, 2005 information about physician-related complaints is confidential unless it leads to a formal discipline hearing.

Hearings that result from complaints received on or after July 1, 2005 are generally be open to the public. Hearings that result from complaints received prior to that date are, generally speaking, not open to public disclosure.

At the discretion of the adjudication tribunal for a particular hearing, the College publishes an official summary of the written decision.  This summary is published in a newspaper of general circulation and is posted to the College website.