Medical director chides college

The P.E.I. College of Physicians and Surgeons hasn't done enough to inform patients of a doctor who's under suspension, says the Island's medical director.

Dr. Richard Wedge says even he can't get an explanation from the college about why it failed to inform the public that Dr. Grant Matheson had been suspended for more than a year. The college waited until this week to tell Islanders about the suspension.

• FROM JUNE 6, 2006: Doctor's suspension extended

It issued a brief news release, then failed to return media calls asking for an explanation. Wedge says that's unacceptable.

"It is discouraging, you know, to have a press release released like that, and nobody there to answer the questions and find out what's going on," he said.

"From a government's perspective, we're really looking after the health of Islanders. We want to make sure that all physicians are safe to practise medicine at all times."

The College of Physicians and Surgeons is a self-regulating body. Wedge's appointment is with the province.

Wedge says he plans to meet with the college and ask it to change how it communicates with the public. He says the province is reviewing the Medical Act and will consider toughening up rules for telling the public about disciplinary measures against members.