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As from December 12, 2022, by order of the Ontario Physicians and Surgeons Discipline Tribunal of the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Ontario, the following terms, conditions and limitations are imposed on the certificate of registration held by Dr. Mathieu Belanger:
Practice Restriction
a. Dr. Bélanger will not perform any procedure(s) that can only be performed in an Out-of-Hospital Premises, as defined in Part XI of the Ontario Regulation 114/94 under the Medicine Act, 1991 and the OHPIP Program Standards (as amended from time to time) and/or as determined by the College.
Individualized Instruction in Ethics
b. Within six (6) months of the date of this Order, Dr. Bélanger will participate in and successfully complete individualized instruction in medical ethics satisfactory to the College, with an instructor selected by the College. Upon completion of the instruction, the instructor shall provide a report to the College addressing whether Dr. Bélanger met the learning objectives identified, demonstrated insight, and showed an understanding of the relevant ethical principles.
Clinical Supervision
c. Prior to resuming practice after the period of suspension of his certificate of registration, Dr. Bélanger will retain a College-approved Clinical Supervisor, who will sign an undertaking in the form attached as Schedule “A” to this Order (the “Clinical Supervisor”).
d. For a minimum period of twelve (12) months after resuming practice, Dr. Bélanger will practice under the guidance of the Clinical Supervisor (“Clinical Supervision”).
e. Dr. Bélanger shall cooperate fully with the Clinical Supervision of his practice, which shall contain the following elements:
i. Dr. Bélanger shall meet with his Clinical Supervisor at his Practice Location once every two (2) weeks for a minimum of three (3) months;
ii. After a minimum of three (3) months of Clinical Supervision, if Dr. Bélanger’s Clinical Supervisor recommends and the College approves a reduction in Clinical Supervision, the Clinical Supervisor will meet with Dr. Bélanger at his Practice Location once every month for an additional minimum of three (3) months;
iii. After a minimum of six (6) months of Clinical Supervision, if the Clinical Supervisor recommends and the College approves a further reduction in Clinical Supervision, the Clinical Supervisor will meet with Dr. Bélanger at his Practice Location once every three (3) months for an additional six (6) months (“Low Level Supervision”);
iv. The Clinical Supervisor shall review at least fifteen (15) of Dr. Bélanger’s patient charts and the corresponding OHIP claim submissions and/or billings at every meeting;
v. For the first six (6) months of Clinical Supervision, the Clinical Supervisor shall directly observe at least three (3) patient encounters at every meeting;
vi. The Clinical Supervisor shall discuss with Dr. Bélanger any concerns arising from the observation of patients or chart reviews, and will make recommendations to Dr. Bélanger for practice improvements and ongoing professional development and inquire into his compliance with the recommendations;
vii. The Clinical Supervisor may perform any other duties, such as reviewing additional patient records, OHIP billings and/or conducting interviews with staff or colleagues, that the Clinical Supervisor deems necessary to the Clinical Supervision; and
viii. The Clinical Supervisor shall submit written reports to the College at least once every month for the first six (6) months, or until the College approves a reduction in the level of supervision to Low Level Supervision, then once every three (3) months for the remaining six (6) months, or more frequently if the Supervisor has concerns about Dr. Bélanger’s standard of practice.
f. If a person who has given an undertaking in Schedule “A” to this Order is unable or unwilling to continue to fulfill its provisions, Dr. Bélanger shall, within twenty (20) days of receiving notice of same, obtain an executed undertaking in the same form from a similarly qualified person who is acceptable to the College and ensure that it is delivered to the College within that time.
g. Dr. Bélanger will cooperate fully with the Clinical Supervision of his practice, conducted under the term of this Order and Schedule “A”, and shall abide by the recommendations of the Clinical Supervisor, including but not limited to, any recommended practice improvements and ongoing professional development.
h. If Dr. Bélanger is unable to obtain a Clinical Supervisor in accordance with this Order, he will cease practising medicine until such time as he has obtained a Clinical Supervisor acceptable to the College, and the fact that he has ceased to practise medicine will be a term, condition or limitation on his certificate of registration, which shall be included on the College’s public register.
Reassessment of Practice
i. Approximately six (6) months after the completion of the period of Clinical Supervision set out above, Dr. Bélanger will submit to a reassessment of his practice (“the Reassessment”) by an assessor or assessors selected by the College (the “Assessor”). The Reassessment shall include a chart review of a minimum of fifteen (15) charts and the corresponding OHIP billings, and may include direct observation of Dr. Bélanger’s care, interviews with Dr. Bélanger, colleagues and co-workers, feedback from patients, and any other tools deemed necessary by the College.
j. Dr. Bélanger will co-operate fully with the Reassessment, conducted under the term of this Order.
k. Dr. Bélanger acknowledges that the Clinical Supervisor may receive and review the findings of the Assessor, and may discuss with the Assessor any issues or concerns arising from the Reassessment.
l. Dr. Bélanger acknowledges that the results of the Reassessment will be provided to him and reported to the College and the Reassessment may form the basis of further action by the College.
Monitoring
m. Dr. Bélanger must inform the College of each and every location at which he practice, delegate, or have privileges, including, but not limited to, any hospitals, clinics, offices, and any Out-of-Hospital Premises or Independent Health Facilities with which he is affiliated, in any jurisdiction (collectively the “Practice Location” or “Practice Locations”), within five (5) days of this Order. Going forward, Dr. Bélanger will inform the College of any and all new Practice Locations within five (5) days of commencing practice at that location.
n. Dr. Bélanger will submit to, and not interfere with, unannounced inspections of his Practice Locations and patient records by a College representative for the purposes of monitoring his compliance with the provisions of this Order.
o. Dr. Bélanger shall give his irrevocable consent to the College to make appropriate enquiries of OHIP, NMS and/or any person who or institution that may have relevant information, in order for the College to monitor his compliance with the provisions of this Order, and shall promptly sign such consents as may be necessary for the College to obtain information from these persons or institutions.
p. Dr. Bélanger shall consent to the sharing of information between the Clinical Supervisor, Assessor and the College as any of them deem necessary or desirable in order to fulfil their respective obligations.
q. Dr. Bélanger shall be responsible for any and all costs associated with implementing the terms of this Order.
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As from 11:59 p.m., February 15, 2018, by order of the Ontario Physicians and Surgeons Discipline Tribunal of the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Ontario, the following terms, conditions and limitations are imposed on the certificate of registration held by Dr. Mathieu Belanger:
Approval of the College's Out of Hospital Premises program is required before Dr. Belanger resumes the Medical Director role in an Out of Hospital Premises.