Doctor's suspension extended

A Charlottetown doctor, suspended by the College of Physicians and Surgeons of P.E.I. a year ago for professional misconduct, has had his suspension extended to at least August 23.

Dr. Grant Matheson had previously been restricted by the from prescribing narcotics for chronic pain until he had completed further training.

The college said in a news release that Matheson, 41, had continuing health issues that interfered with his safe practice of medicine. It said his licence will continue to be suspended until his doctors deem him healthy enough to resume practice. There are also outstanding administrative issues to resolve, the college said.

Once those conditions are met, the college said, it will review his application to be re-licensed.

The release offered no details, and no one from college was available to comment.

Dr. Matheson was honoured by the Dalhousie Medical School in 2001 with an award for outstanding training of medical students and residents in the Maritimes.

The province said a new doctor is considering taking over Dr. Matheson's practice. Dr. Matheson had almost 700 patients.