THE FOLLOWING INFORMATION WAS OBTAINED FROM THE PHYSICIAN REGISTER SECTION OF THE WEBSITE OF THE COLLEGE OF PHYSICIANS AND SURGEONS OF ONTARIO (WWW.CPSO.ON.CA) AS OF THE DATE AND TIME NOTED BELOW
12/06/25 10:47:57 AM

General Information

Former Name: No Former Name
Medical School: Hahnemann Medical College, 1966
Gender: Man
Languages Spoken: ENGLISH

Practice Information

Primary Business Location: Address not Available
Business Email: No Information Available
Phone: No Information Available
Fax: No Information Available

Specialties

SPECIALTY ISSUED ON CERTIFYING BODY
Psychiatry
Effective: 07 Jun 1988
Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada
SPECIALTY: Psychiatry
ISSUED ON: Effective: Jun 07 1988
CERTIFYING BODY: Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada

Medical Records Location

Instructions/Address: Call 416.398.0638 or 1.888.563.3732
RSRS
111 St. Regis Crescent South
Toronto ON
M3J 1Y6
Date Received: 09 Sep 2013

Hospital Privileges

No information available

General Information

Former Name: No Former Name
Gender: Man
Languages Spoken: ENGLISH
Medical School: Hahnemann Medical College, 1966

Practice Information

Primary Business Location: Address not Available
Business Email: No Information Available
Phone: No Information Available
Fax: No Information Available

Specialties

SPECIALTY ISSUED ON CERTIFYING BODY
Psychiatry
Effective: 07 Jun 1988
Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada
SPECIALTY: Psychiatry
ISSUED ON: Effective: Jun 07 1988
CERTIFYING BODY: Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada

Medical Records Location

Instructions/Address: Call 416.398.0638 or 1.888.563.3732
RSRS
111 St. Regis Crescent South
Toronto ON
M3J 1Y6
Date Received: 09 Sep 2013

Hospital Privileges

No information available

Practice Conditions

This physician is inactive (Expired, Resigned, Suspended, Revoked, or Deceased) and is not permitted to practise medicine.
This physician is inactive (Expired, Resigned, Suspended, Revoked, or Deceased) and is not permitted to practise medicine.

Current Tribunal Proceedings

No information available

Past Tribunal Proceedings (2)

Date of Decision: 04 Mar 2013
Summary of Decision:
On March 4, 2013, the Discipline Committee found that Dr. Michael Godfrey Sumner committed an act of professional misconduct, in that he has failed to maintain the standard of practice of the profession. Dr. Sumner admitted the allegation.

Dr. Sumner is a psychiatrist. An expert retained by the College reviewed Dr. Sumner's care of 15 patients and concluded that Dr. Sumner failed to maintain the standard of practice in his care and treatment of 4 of them. The expert found some aspects of Dr. Sumner's practice to be commendable, and noted that he was a well-intentioned psychiatrist who has a real sense of advocacy on behalf of his patients. However, he had a number of concerns regarding Dr.
Sumner's care of certain patients, including the following:
(a) The lack of documentation of any cognitive testing in certain patients for whom Dr. Sumner had made a diagnosis of brain injury with cognitive deficits;
(b) made diagnoses of brain injury where there was no clear or compelling evidence to support the diagnosis;
(c) provided treatment to certain patients that did not follow from the diagnosis made;
(d) charts failed to explore/ document certain patients' presenting problem or chief complaint;
(e) failed to recognize that deficits in attention and concentration are not specific to an acquired brain injury but are also a core feature of affective disorders; and
(f) did not provide certain patients with standard pharmacotherapy for their depression, anxiety and psychosis.

The expert noted that Dr. Sumner's below standard care in the four charts identified resulted in his patients being exposed to the following risks:
Patients were exposed unnecessarily to psychotropic medications, specifically anticonvulsants, psychostimulants and cholinesterase inhibitors. However, there is no evidence from the charts reviewed that any significant harm or injury resulted from this unnecessary exposure;
Dr. Sumner failed to provide standard treatment, or provided inadequate treatment, of certain patients' underlying serious mental illness such as major depression, anxiety and psychosis, thus prolonging patients' suffering and increasing the risk of consequences as a result of the untreated underlying illness. However, there was no evidence that any serious permanent harm occurred; and One patient's psychotic symptoms were extremely likely to have been precipitated and perpetuated by Dr. Sumner's clinical care.

An expert retained by Dr. Sumner opined on Dr. Sumner's use of topiramate and concluded that although Dr. Sumner employs topiramate earlier in the treatment algorithm than would be considered common practice by most practitioners and treatment guidelines, it is not outside of the realm of reasonableness to consider topiramate in the context in which he was using it.

Dr. Sumner's practice has been subject to supervision since June of 2011. The reports of the supervisor have noted improvements in Dr. Sumner's practice. The three most recent reports have concluded that patient care and record keeping is now meeting the standard of care.

In January of 2007, Dr. Sumner was found by the Discipline Committee, based on an agreed statement of facts, to have failed to maintain the standard of practice. He was reprimanded and required to practise under supervision which terminated in July of 2009.

The Discipline Committee ordered and directed that:
the Registrar suspend Dr. Sumner's certificate of registration for a period of three (3) months commencing April 15, 2013.
the Registrar impose the following terms, conditions and limitations on Dr. Sumner's certificate of registration:
i. Dr. Sumner may practise only under the supervision of a College-approved clinical supervisor ("Clinical Supervisor"). The Clinical Supervisor will meet with Dr. Sumner, review 10 of Dr. Sumner's patient charts and all of Dr. Sumner's charts for new patients once a month, including a review and approval of all clinical treatment plans and of the psychopharmacology proposed by Dr. Sumner, and report to the College a minimum of once every three months;
ii. If the Clinical Supervisor who has given an undertaking is unable or unwilling to continue to fulfill its terms, Dr. Sumner shall, within 20 days, obtain an undertaking in the same form from a similarly qualified person who is acceptable to the College;
iii. If Dr. Sumner is unable to obtain a College-approved supervisor as set out in paragraphs (i) or (ii) above, he must cease practising medicine immediately until such time as he has obtained a Clinical Supervisor acceptable to the College. The fact that he ceased practising under this condition will constitute a term, condition or limitation on Dr. Sumner's certificate of registration;
iv. If, after a minimum of one year from the date of this Order, the Clinical Supervisor recommends a reduction in the frequency of the meetings between Dr. Sumner and the Clinical Supervisor, and if the College pre-approves of the recommendation, the frequency of the monitoring may be reduced;
v. Dr. Sumner will abide by all recommendations of his Clinical Supervisor;
vi. Dr. Sumner may bring a motion to vary the terms of his supervision no earlier than three years after the date of the Order of the Discipline Committee;
vii. Dr. Sumner will be responsible for all costs associated with the implementation of this Order.
Dr. Sumner pay to the College costs in the amount of $14,600 within 60 days of the date of this Order.
Reasons for Decision: Download Full Decision (PDF)
Appeal: No Appeal
Hearing Date(s): September 27-28, 2012, March 4, 2013
Date of Decision: 22 Jan 2007
Summary of Decision:
On January 22, 2007, the Discipline Committee of the CPSO found that Dr. Michael Godfrey Sumner committed acts of professional misconduct in that he failed to maintain the standard of practice of the profession. The Discipline Committee ordered and directed that:

1. Dr. Sumner attend before the panel to be reprimanded, with the fact of the reprimand to be recorded on the register;

2. The Registrar impose the following terms and conditions on Dr. Sumner's certificate of registration for a period of 90 days following the date of this Order;

(i) Dr. Sumner shall not prescribe narcotics or controlled drugs and substances as defined in Schedules I to IV of the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act, unless the prescription has been co-signed by a physician approved by the College.
(ii) Dr. Sumner shall keep a photocopy of all co-signed prescriptions in individual patient charts.
(iii) All expenses associated with the co-signing physician shall be at Dr. Sumner's expense.
(iv) Dr. Sumner shall cooperate with unannounced inspections of his practice and patient charts by a College representative(s) for the purpose of monitoring and enforcing his compliance with the terms of the Order.

3. The Registrar impose the following additional term and condition on Dr. Sumner's Certificate of Registration for an indefinite period of time:
a. Dr. Sumner shall practice solely in a group practice at the Rothbart Pain Clinic in Toronto or another clinic approved by the College.

4. The Registrar impose the following additional terms, conditions and limitations on Dr. Sumner's certificate of registration for an indefinite period of time:

a. Within 90 days of the date of the Order, Dr. Sumner shall undergo an assessment of his practice to determine if his care meets the standard expected of the profession and if his care displays a lack of knowledge, skill or judgment or disregard for the welfare of his patients (the "Assessment"). The Assessment is to be carried out by Dr. X or another assessor approved by the College ("The Assessor");
b. The Assessor shall report in writing to the Registrar and to Dr. Sumner on the Assessment ("the Assessment Report");

Report Finds Standard of Care not met and Lack of Knowledge, Skill or Judgment

c. If the Assessment Report or a report of a re-assessment done under the terms of this order concludes that Dr. Sumner's care does not meet the expected standard and displays a lack of knowledge, skill or judgment or disregard for the welfare of his patients the Assessor shall stipulate in writing the area or areas in which Dr. Sumner's care is deficient. Should the Registrar receive such a report, the Registrar is directed to impose on Dr. Sumner's Certificate of Registration the following term and condition, which shall remain in effect until further Order of a panel of the Discipline Committee:
i. that Dr. Sumner be prohibited from prescribing those narcotics and controlled substances as set out in any or all of Schedules I to IV of the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act, or any combination thereof, as stipulated by the Assessor.

Report Finds Standard of Care not met but no lack of Knowledge, Skill or Judgment

d. If an Assessment Report or a report of a re-assessment concludes that Dr. Sumner's care does not meet the expected standard but does not display a lack of knowledge, skill or judgment or disregard for the welfare of his patients;

i. the Registrar is directed to impose the following terms and conditions on Dr. Sumner's certificate of registration:

1. Dr. Sumner shall not prescribe narcotics or controlled drugs and substances as defined in Schedules I to IV of the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act, unless the prescription has been co-signed by a physician approved by the College who has signed an undertaking.

2. Dr. Sumner shall keep a photocopy of all co-signed prescriptions in individual patient charts.

3. All expenses associated with the co-signing physician shall be at Dr. Sumner's expense.

4. Dr. Sumner shall cooperate with unannounced inspections of his practice and patient charts by a College representative(s) for the purpose of monitoring and enforcing his compliance with the terms of this Order; and.

ii. Dr. Sumner can request a re-assessment by the Assessor, which is to be conducted no sooner than six months after the date of the last Assessment Report or report of a re-assessment.

Report Finds Standard of Care Met and No Lack of Knowledge, Skill or Judgement

e. if the Assessment Report or a report of a re-assessment concludes that Dr. Sumner's care meets the expected standard and does not display a lack of knowledge, skill or judgment or disregard for the welfare of his patients, the Registrar is directed to remove all terms and conditions on Dr. Sumner's Certificate of Registration, with the exception of the term in paragraph 4 of this order requiring that he practice solely in a group setting approved by the College, and is directed to impose the following terms and conditions on his certificate of registration:

i. Dr. Sumner shall arrange to have a clinical supervisor, approved by the College, with whom he shall meet as frequently as requested by the Supervisor, and no less frequently than once per month, to discuss his chronic pain management practice.

ii. Six months, 14 months, and 24 months after the date the conditions on Dr. Sumner's Certificate of Registration are removed under paragraph 5(e), an Assessor will re-assess Dr. Sumner's practice and will provide the Registrar and Dr. Sumner with a copy of a report of the re-assessment.

f. Dr. Sumner shall, within one year of the date of the Order and at his own expense, complete one course approved by the College in each of the following three areas, and will provide proof of attendance to the College:
i. Addiction medicine;
ii. Diagnosis and treatment of head injuries; and
iii. Psychiatric assessment and diagnosis.

5. Dr. Sumner shall be permitted to bring a motion before a panel of the Discipline Committee to vary this Order, but not earlier than 90 days after the date of the Order.

6. Dr. Sumner shall within 30 days pay the College its costs of this proceeding in the amount of $2,500.00.
 
Reasons for Decision: Download Full Decision (PDF)
Appeal: No Appeal
Hearing Date(s): Jan 22, 2007

Current Tribunal Proceedings

No information available

Past Tribunal Proceedings (2)

Date of Decision: 04 Mar 2013
Summary of Decision:
On March 4, 2013, the Discipline Committee found that Dr. Michael Godfrey Sumner committed an act of professional misconduct, in that he has failed to maintain the standard of practice of the profession. Dr. Sumner admitted the allegation.

Dr. Sumner is a psychiatrist. An expert retained by the College reviewed Dr. Sumner's care of 15 patients and concluded that Dr. Sumner failed to maintain the standard of practice in his care and treatment of 4 of them. The expert found some aspects of Dr. Sumner's practice to be commendable, and noted that he was a well-intentioned psychiatrist who has a real sense of advocacy on behalf of his patients. However, he had a number of concerns regarding Dr.
Sumner's care of certain patients, including the following:
(a) The lack of documentation of any cognitive testing in certain patients for whom Dr. Sumner had made a diagnosis of brain injury with cognitive deficits;
(b) made diagnoses of brain injury where there was no clear or compelling evidence to support the diagnosis;
(c) provided treatment to certain patients that did not follow from the diagnosis made;
(d) charts failed to explore/ document certain patients' presenting problem or chief complaint;
(e) failed to recognize that deficits in attention and concentration are not specific to an acquired brain injury but are also a core feature of affective disorders; and
(f) did not provide certain patients with standard pharmacotherapy for their depression, anxiety and psychosis.

The expert noted that Dr. Sumner's below standard care in the four charts identified resulted in his patients being exposed to the following risks:
Patients were exposed unnecessarily to psychotropic medications, specifically anticonvulsants, psychostimulants and cholinesterase inhibitors. However, there is no evidence from the charts reviewed that any significant harm or injury resulted from this unnecessary exposure;
Dr. Sumner failed to provide standard treatment, or provided inadequate treatment, of certain patients' underlying serious mental illness such as major depression, anxiety and psychosis, thus prolonging patients' suffering and increasing the risk of consequences as a result of the untreated underlying illness. However, there was no evidence that any serious permanent harm occurred; and One patient's psychotic symptoms were extremely likely to have been precipitated and perpetuated by Dr. Sumner's clinical care.

An expert retained by Dr. Sumner opined on Dr. Sumner's use of topiramate and concluded that although Dr. Sumner employs topiramate earlier in the treatment algorithm than would be considered common practice by most practitioners and treatment guidelines, it is not outside of the realm of reasonableness to consider topiramate in the context in which he was using it.

Dr. Sumner's practice has been subject to supervision since June of 2011. The reports of the supervisor have noted improvements in Dr. Sumner's practice. The three most recent reports have concluded that patient care and record keeping is now meeting the standard of care.

In January of 2007, Dr. Sumner was found by the Discipline Committee, based on an agreed statement of facts, to have failed to maintain the standard of practice. He was reprimanded and required to practise under supervision which terminated in July of 2009.

The Discipline Committee ordered and directed that:
the Registrar suspend Dr. Sumner's certificate of registration for a period of three (3) months commencing April 15, 2013.
the Registrar impose the following terms, conditions and limitations on Dr. Sumner's certificate of registration:
i. Dr. Sumner may practise only under the supervision of a College-approved clinical supervisor ("Clinical Supervisor"). The Clinical Supervisor will meet with Dr. Sumner, review 10 of Dr. Sumner's patient charts and all of Dr. Sumner's charts for new patients once a month, including a review and approval of all clinical treatment plans and of the psychopharmacology proposed by Dr. Sumner, and report to the College a minimum of once every three months;
ii. If the Clinical Supervisor who has given an undertaking is unable or unwilling to continue to fulfill its terms, Dr. Sumner shall, within 20 days, obtain an undertaking in the same form from a similarly qualified person who is acceptable to the College;
iii. If Dr. Sumner is unable to obtain a College-approved supervisor as set out in paragraphs (i) or (ii) above, he must cease practising medicine immediately until such time as he has obtained a Clinical Supervisor acceptable to the College. The fact that he ceased practising under this condition will constitute a term, condition or limitation on Dr. Sumner's certificate of registration;
iv. If, after a minimum of one year from the date of this Order, the Clinical Supervisor recommends a reduction in the frequency of the meetings between Dr. Sumner and the Clinical Supervisor, and if the College pre-approves of the recommendation, the frequency of the monitoring may be reduced;
v. Dr. Sumner will abide by all recommendations of his Clinical Supervisor;
vi. Dr. Sumner may bring a motion to vary the terms of his supervision no earlier than three years after the date of the Order of the Discipline Committee;
vii. Dr. Sumner will be responsible for all costs associated with the implementation of this Order.
Dr. Sumner pay to the College costs in the amount of $14,600 within 60 days of the date of this Order.
Reasons for Decision: Download Full Decision (PDF)
Appeal: No Appeal
Hearing Date(s): September 27-28, 2012, March 4, 2013
Date of Decision: 22 Jan 2007
Summary of Decision:
On January 22, 2007, the Discipline Committee of the CPSO found that Dr. Michael Godfrey Sumner committed acts of professional misconduct in that he failed to maintain the standard of practice of the profession. The Discipline Committee ordered and directed that:

1. Dr. Sumner attend before the panel to be reprimanded, with the fact of the reprimand to be recorded on the register;

2. The Registrar impose the following terms and conditions on Dr. Sumner's certificate of registration for a period of 90 days following the date of this Order;

(i) Dr. Sumner shall not prescribe narcotics or controlled drugs and substances as defined in Schedules I to IV of the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act, unless the prescription has been co-signed by a physician approved by the College.
(ii) Dr. Sumner shall keep a photocopy of all co-signed prescriptions in individual patient charts.
(iii) All expenses associated with the co-signing physician shall be at Dr. Sumner's expense.
(iv) Dr. Sumner shall cooperate with unannounced inspections of his practice and patient charts by a College representative(s) for the purpose of monitoring and enforcing his compliance with the terms of the Order.

3. The Registrar impose the following additional term and condition on Dr. Sumner's Certificate of Registration for an indefinite period of time:
a. Dr. Sumner shall practice solely in a group practice at the Rothbart Pain Clinic in Toronto or another clinic approved by the College.

4. The Registrar impose the following additional terms, conditions and limitations on Dr. Sumner's certificate of registration for an indefinite period of time:

a. Within 90 days of the date of the Order, Dr. Sumner shall undergo an assessment of his practice to determine if his care meets the standard expected of the profession and if his care displays a lack of knowledge, skill or judgment or disregard for the welfare of his patients (the "Assessment"). The Assessment is to be carried out by Dr. X or another assessor approved by the College ("The Assessor");
b. The Assessor shall report in writing to the Registrar and to Dr. Sumner on the Assessment ("the Assessment Report");

Report Finds Standard of Care not met and Lack of Knowledge, Skill or Judgment

c. If the Assessment Report or a report of a re-assessment done under the terms of this order concludes that Dr. Sumner's care does not meet the expected standard and displays a lack of knowledge, skill or judgment or disregard for the welfare of his patients the Assessor shall stipulate in writing the area or areas in which Dr. Sumner's care is deficient. Should the Registrar receive such a report, the Registrar is directed to impose on Dr. Sumner's Certificate of Registration the following term and condition, which shall remain in effect until further Order of a panel of the Discipline Committee:
i. that Dr. Sumner be prohibited from prescribing those narcotics and controlled substances as set out in any or all of Schedules I to IV of the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act, or any combination thereof, as stipulated by the Assessor.

Report Finds Standard of Care not met but no lack of Knowledge, Skill or Judgment

d. If an Assessment Report or a report of a re-assessment concludes that Dr. Sumner's care does not meet the expected standard but does not display a lack of knowledge, skill or judgment or disregard for the welfare of his patients;

i. the Registrar is directed to impose the following terms and conditions on Dr. Sumner's certificate of registration:

1. Dr. Sumner shall not prescribe narcotics or controlled drugs and substances as defined in Schedules I to IV of the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act, unless the prescription has been co-signed by a physician approved by the College who has signed an undertaking.

2. Dr. Sumner shall keep a photocopy of all co-signed prescriptions in individual patient charts.

3. All expenses associated with the co-signing physician shall be at Dr. Sumner's expense.

4. Dr. Sumner shall cooperate with unannounced inspections of his practice and patient charts by a College representative(s) for the purpose of monitoring and enforcing his compliance with the terms of this Order; and.

ii. Dr. Sumner can request a re-assessment by the Assessor, which is to be conducted no sooner than six months after the date of the last Assessment Report or report of a re-assessment.

Report Finds Standard of Care Met and No Lack of Knowledge, Skill or Judgement

e. if the Assessment Report or a report of a re-assessment concludes that Dr. Sumner's care meets the expected standard and does not display a lack of knowledge, skill or judgment or disregard for the welfare of his patients, the Registrar is directed to remove all terms and conditions on Dr. Sumner's Certificate of Registration, with the exception of the term in paragraph 4 of this order requiring that he practice solely in a group setting approved by the College, and is directed to impose the following terms and conditions on his certificate of registration:

i. Dr. Sumner shall arrange to have a clinical supervisor, approved by the College, with whom he shall meet as frequently as requested by the Supervisor, and no less frequently than once per month, to discuss his chronic pain management practice.

ii. Six months, 14 months, and 24 months after the date the conditions on Dr. Sumner's Certificate of Registration are removed under paragraph 5(e), an Assessor will re-assess Dr. Sumner's practice and will provide the Registrar and Dr. Sumner with a copy of a report of the re-assessment.

f. Dr. Sumner shall, within one year of the date of the Order and at his own expense, complete one course approved by the College in each of the following three areas, and will provide proof of attendance to the College:
i. Addiction medicine;
ii. Diagnosis and treatment of head injuries; and
iii. Psychiatric assessment and diagnosis.

5. Dr. Sumner shall be permitted to bring a motion before a panel of the Discipline Committee to vary this Order, but not earlier than 90 days after the date of the Order.

6. Dr. Sumner shall within 30 days pay the College its costs of this proceeding in the amount of $2,500.00.
 
Reasons for Decision: Download Full Decision (PDF)
Appeal: No Appeal
Hearing Date(s): Jan 22, 2007

Training

Medical School: Hahnemann Medical College, 1966

Registration History

DETAILS DATE
Expired: Resigned from membership. Effective: 13 Aug 2013
Suspension of registration removed. Effective: 15 Jul 2013
Suspension of registration imposed: Discipline Committee Effective: 15 Apr 2013
Terms and conditions amended by Discipline Committee. Effective: 04 Mar 2013
Terms and conditions amended by Inquiries, Complaints and Reports Committee. Effective: 31 May 2011
Terms and conditions amended by Discipline Committee. Effective: 10 Jul 2009
Terms and conditions amended by Discipline Committee. Effective: 22 Jan 2007
Transfer of class of registration to: Restricted Certificate Effective: 30 Jan 2006
Arrow_iconTerms and conditions imposed on certificate by: Executive Committee Effective: 30 Jan 2006
First certificate of registration issued: Independent Practice Certificate Effective: 24 Oct 1985
DETAILS: Expired: Resigned from membership.
Date: Effective: 13 Aug 2013
DETAILS: Suspension of registration removed.
Date: Effective: 15 Jul 2013
DETAILS: Suspension of registration imposed: Discipline Committee
Date: Effective: 15 Apr 2013
DETAILS: Terms and conditions amended by Discipline Committee.
Date: Effective: 04 Mar 2013
DETAILS: Terms and conditions amended by Inquiries, Complaints and Reports Committee.
Date: Effective: 31 May 2011
DETAILS: Terms and conditions amended by Discipline Committee.
Date: Effective: 10 Jul 2009
DETAILS: Terms and conditions amended by Discipline Committee.
Date: Effective: 22 Jan 2007
DETAILS: Transfer of class of registration to: Restricted Certificate
Date: Effective: 30 Jan 2006
DETAILS: Terms and conditions imposed on certificate by: Executive Committee
Date: Effective: 30 Jan 2006
DETAILS: First certificate of registration issued: Independent Practice Certificate
Date: Effective: 24 Oct 1985