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Executive Summary January 30 & 31, 2009 Council Meeting

Introduction

The Council of the College of Physicians & Surgeons of Saskatchewan operates under an explicit set of governance policies. It strives to make its' work as transparent as possible to the medical profession and the general public.

Those portions of the Council's deliberations that are not confidential are open to observation by any person subject to space availability in the meeting room.

At the conclusion of each Council meeting an Executive Summary of the meeting is widely distributed to the District Medical Associations, related organizations and the public media. This Executive Summary provides a brief overview of issues discussed, decisions made, and/or actions taken by the Council. If any person wishes more detailed information about any of the issues which are not subject to confidentiality constraints, these can be obtained by contacting Ms. Tracy Hastings, the College's Regulatory Services Coordinator, at 500 - 321A 21st Street East, Saskatoon SK S7K 0C1; Phone (306) 244-7355; Fax (306) 244-0090; Email tracy.hastings@cps.sk.ca

The Council:

  1. The Council met with Mr. Tony Dagnone in his capacity as the Patient First Review Commissioner. Mr. Dagnone explained the strategy that he and his support teams are using to obtain feedback from patients about their experience with healthcare services. Once this public input phase is completed, the public perspective will be shared with healthcare providers and healthcare organizations. They will be individually and collectively invited and challenged to identify strategies for addressing the concerns and needs of patients.

  2. The Council met with Mr. Kent Stewart, the Chief Coroner for the Province of Saskatchewan, to learn about coroner services in Saskatchewan and the role of physicians in their interface with the coroners service.

  3. The Council met with Dr. Milo Fink, the President of the Saskatchewan Medical Association (SMA), and Dr. Martin Vogel, Executive Director of the SMA. They shared with the Council a request from the SMA board to work collaboratively with the College to enhance the mechanisms for investigating physician competence when such investigations are warranted and for providing optimal support to physicians undergoing such investigations. The Council agreed to establish a joint committee to study the issues presented.

  4. The Council met with Ms. Michelle Ouellette, Legal Council for Dr. L. Tsatsi. On behalf of Dr. Tsatsi, Ms. Ouellette requested an adjournment of the investigation of Dr. Tsatsi's knowledge and skill that has been ordered by the Council. After full consideration of Ms. Ouellette's presentation and a presentation made by Ms. Gwen Goebel, on behalf of the College, the Council declined to grant Dr. Tsatsi's request for an adjournment.

  5. The Council received a request from Dr. Chris Ekong from Regina, to establish a registration option that will allow an Internationally Trained Physician to engage in a surgical skills enhancement program in the Regina Qu'Appelle Health Region. The Council approved the proposal request by Dr. Ekong.

The Council Also:

  1. Received and discussed a report from Millie Reynolds, a public member of the Council, from the College's Quality as a Business Strategy (QBS) Leadership Team. Mrs. Reynolds encouraged the Council to identify an opportunity for improvement of its' functionality and effectiveness. The Council determined that it will focus its' improvement effort on its' Governance Policies and Strategic Plan.

  2. The Chairman advised that it will reserve a full day on April 17, 2009, for the Council Retreat to focus on effective governance.

  3. Received and discussed a proposal about a potential requirement that all International Medical Graduates (IMG) pass the Medical Council of Canada Evaluating Exam (MCCEE) as a prerequisite for Medical Licensure in Saskatchewan. Such a policy change will bring Saskatchewan into alignment with other Canadian jurisdictions which require the MCEE as a prerequisite for licensure and would be consistent with changes that will be necessary to support the revised Agreement on Internal Trade (AIT). The MCCEE is now a computer based examination that is made available to IMGs at six (6) week intervals in seventy-two (72) locations around the world. The Council directed the Registrar's office to commence a consultation process with the SMA, Ministry of Health, and other stakeholders about this potential policy change.

  4. Received and discussed a verbal report from the Registrar in respect to ongoing dialogue with the Ministry of Health, the SMA, and the College of Medicine about future options for IMG evaluation and licensure in Saskatchewan.

  5. Received and discussed a report from Mr. Salte about the revised Agreement on Internal Trade (AIT) and it's potential future implications for physician supply and distribution in Saskatchewan. The Council directed Mr. Salte to send a letter to the Ministry of Health which sets out the Council's perspective in respect to this revised agreement.

  6. The Council considered a request from Dr. Naidoo to allow him to defer his first challenge of the Royal College Certification Exams and General Surgery until 2010 if he successfully passes the Principles of Surgery Exam in April 2009. The Council declined Dr. Naidoo's request for such a delay in challenging the Certification Examinations.

  7. Considered a report from a Public Health Officer regarding an individual in Regina who is claiming to be a Naturopathic Physician (although not registered as such) and who was administering intravenous Chelation Therapy. On recommendation of the Public Health Officer, this individual has discontinued the provision of IV Chelation Therapy. The Council directed Mr. Salte to commend this individual for discontinuing IV Chelation Therapy, but to also advise the individual that resumption of this practice may place the individual at risk for prosecution under the Medical Profession Act for practicing medicine without a license.

  8. Appointed Mr. Gordon Stewart of KPMG as the College Auditor for 2009.

  9. Appointed the Membership of several Standing Committees for 2009.

  10. Received and considered monitoring reports from the Registrar in respect to:

    1. The Colleges' Protection of the Public;

    2. Registrars' compliance with relevant laws and commonly accepted business practices;

    3. Registrars' compliance with Council policies related to treatment of staff;

    4. The Registrars' compliance with policies pertaining to interactions with members of the College and the Public;

  11. Considered an appeal from a complainant who felt that the complaints resolution process in his case had violated the values of that process as defined in Council's policies. The Council determined that the process has not violated these values and therefore declined the appeal.

  12. Considered reports from three (3) separate preliminary inquiry committees appointed by the Council to investigate whether three (3) physicians may be guilty of unprofessional conduct. In one instance, the Council determined that they will not lay charges against the implicated physician. In a second instance, the Council did lay a charge of unprofessional conduct against the implicated physician. In the third instance, the Council directed Mr. Salte to explore with the complainant of the complainant's willingness to consider an alternative disposition in the matter.

  13. The Council conducted election of officers and of the Executive Committee Council for the 2009.

    Dr. Gerry Fernandes, Otolaryngologist from North Battleford, was elected President of the College.

    Dr. Grant Stoneham, Radiologist from Saskatoon, was elected Vice President of the College.

    The following were elected as members of the Council Executive Committee:

    1. Dr. Gerry Fernandes, President
    2. Dr. Grant Stoneham, Vice President
    3. Dr. Suresh Kassett, Past President
    4. Ms. Karen Prisciak, Public Member
    5. Dr. James Fritz, Member-at-Large

The Council will next meet on April 17 & 18, 2009. April 17th will be reserved as a full day Council Retreat and all Council business will transact on April 18th.