Dialogue Volume 10 Issue 1 2014 | Page 39

DISCIPLINE SUMMARIES DR. ROBERT STEWART CAMERON Practice Location: Windsor Practice Area: General Practice Hearing Information: Agreed Statement of Facts, Admission, Joint Submission on Penalty On January 14, 2013, the Discipline Committee found that Dr. Cameron committed an act of professional misconduct, in that he has engaged in conduct or an act or omission relevant to the practice of medicine that, having regard to all the circumstances, would reasonably be regarded by members as disgraceful, dishonourable or unprofessional. Dr. Cameron had admitted to the allegation. eron made unwanted, Full decisions are available online inappropriate and unat www.cpso.on.ca. professional comments Select Doctor Search and enter of a personal nature the doctor’s name. regarding his ex-wife and his girlfriend and spoke unprofessionally regarding Ms. C to the father of a young patient. In early 2010, Dr. Cameron raised his voice at Ms. C in an irate fashion where patients were present. In or about January 2010, in a conversation with Ms. A, Dr. Cameron made threatening remarks with respect to Dr. E. Ms. A reported to Dr. E and the police that Dr. Cameron stated he would like to meet Dr. E in a dark alley with a baseball bat. Between 2008 and 2010, Dr. Cameron worked with Ms. A, a registered practical nurse, and made unwanted and inappropriate remarks of a sexual nature, including stories of sexual interactions with his girlfriend. Around February 2010, while Ms. A was working, Dr. Cameron put his arm around her hip and waist, with his hand resting on the upper part her left buttock. Ms. A ultimately reported the matter to the police. On March 3, 2010, Dr. Cameron was charged with sexual assault with respect to Ms. A and uttering threats with respect to Dr. E. On June 18, 2010, the charges were withdrawn on the condition that Dr. Cameron enter into a peace bond for a one-year period. The conditions of the bond included not communicating with Ms. A and Dr. E. Commencing in August 2009, Ms. C, a registered practical nurse, worked with Dr. Cameron. Dr. Cam- Counsel for the College and counsel for the member made a joint submission as to an appropriate penalty Reasons for Penalty What does this mean? We provide definitions for the legal terminology used in the discipline process Admission Agreed Statement of Facts Contested Hearing The physician admits that the facts alleged amount to professional misconduct and/or incompetence. A statement of facts that are negotiated and agreed to by the College and the physician. It is filed as an exhibit at the hearing. The physician denies the allegations. The College must prove the allegations on a balance of probabilities (the civil standard of proof ) by calling evidence such as witnesses. If one or more of the allegations is proved, a penalty hearing is scheduled. The College and the physician may agree and jointly propose a penalty to the Committee or they may disagree and a contested penalty hearing takes place. Plea of No Contest The physician does not contest the facts. The College files a statement of facts as an exhibit at the hearing. The Discipline Committee can accept the facts as correct and make a finding of professional misconduct and/or incompetence. The physician does not admit to the facts or findings for the purpose of any other proceeding. Joint Submission on Penalty A penalty that is proposed to the Committee as an appropriate penalty by both the College and the physician. In law, the Discipline Committee must accept a joint submission on penalty unless it would be contrary to the public interest and bring the administration of justice into disrepute. DIALOGUE • Issue 1, 2014 41