N.B. COVID-19 roundup: Fate of suspended doctors in limbo
CBC
In less than two weeks, New Brunswick will lift all COVID-19 restrictions, but it remains unclear whether the doctors who refused to show proof of COVID-19 vaccination will be allowed to return to practise medicine.
"Undecided," said Ed Schollenberg, registrar of the College of Physicians and Surgeons of New Brunswick.
"Possibly influenced by hospitals' decision. And maybe not even then," he said in an emailed statement, without elaborating.
Eleven doctors remain suspended, including two specialists and nine family doctors.
They were suspended by the college three months ago, leaving their patients scrambling to find care in a province already desperate for more doctors.
"It's very frustrating," Schollenberg has said. "We would have hoped physicians would have been more scientifically based in their decisions, but that's unfortunately not what we're seeing now."
All of the suspended doctors worked within the Horizon Health Network.
Asked for an update, Horizon spokesperson Kris McDavid said, "In terms of physician and staff vaccination policy, we are complying with the GNB policy."
Last week, when Premier Blaine Higgs announced all New Brunswick COVID-19 restrictions will be removed by March 14, he said provincial employees will still be required to get vaccinated for now.
Those who failed to provide proof of vaccination or a medical exemption, as mandated last fall, will remain on unpaid leave for the time being, Higgs told reporters.
"We haven't made a decision in regards to when they will be able to return to work and under what conditions," he said.
"As we lift measures we will be looking at all our pandemic policies, including mandatory vaccination for existing employees." Getting vaccinated continues to be a condition for new employees, he added.
Dr. Mark MacMillan, president New Brunswick Medical Society, said the decision about whether to reinstate the suspended doctors is up to the College of Physicians and Surgeons.
"I would have to defer to their guidance on what, if any, changes are happening, but I don't believe any changes are planned," he said.
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