Doctors suspended for being unvaccinated allowed to return to practice
CBC
A handful of New Brunswick doctors who were suspended more than four months ago for being unvaccinated against COVID-19 or failing to provide proof can again practise medicine.
The College of Physicians and Surgeons of New Brunswick has reinstated five of the 11 doctors, including three specialists, registrar Dr. Ed Schollenberg confirmed Wednesday.
One of the physicians — a family doctor — has left the province, he said.
The college has not yet heard back from the other five about their intentions, Schollenberg said in an emailed statement.
He offered no comments on the policy reversal.
"All I have to say."
The doctors, who all worked within the Horizon Health Network, were suspended on Nov. 30 at midnight, leaving their patients scrambling to find care in a province already desperate for more doctors.
The number of patients affected isn't known.
About 40,000 people are on New Brunswick's Patient Connect wait list for a primary care provider.
Horizon officials could not immediately be reached for comment.
Schollenberg previously said doctors have to lead by example and also not put their patients' health in jeopardy.
"You can't encourage patients to get vaccinated if you don't get vaccinated yourself," he said earlier.
The about-face comes after New Brunswick announced it's dropping its vaccine mandate for provincial government employees in vulnerable sectors, including health care, effective April 11.
Employees of the regional health authorities and Extra-Mural/Ambulance N.B. who were placed on unpaid leave for failing to provide proof of vaccination can return to work if they follow all mitigation measures required by their employer, based on Public Health guidance, until they are fully vaccinated.
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