By Thia James

Doctor disciplined for relationship apologizes

Nov 25, 2014 | 5:30 AM

A Prince Albert doctor who lost his medical licence for having a consensual sexual relationship with a patient is apologizing to his patients and colleagues.

Dr. Nigel Painter pleaded guilty to the having relationship and helping the patient provide false information about that relationship. He was a general practitioner at West Hill Medical Clinic and he is listed as the Prince Albert Raiders’ club physician in the 2014-2015 WHL Official Guide. Painter is no longer with the team, as he does not have a licence.

Painter’s lawyer, David Stack, reiterated the apology from his client on Monday afternoon, via telephone.

“In the college process, he expressed deep regret and apologies for entering into that relationship. And he is also really regretful for the devastating effect that his actions are going to cause for his family,” Stack said.

He said Painter also wanted to apologize to his patients, who are now going to have to find another doctor for the revocation period.

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The college revoked Painter’s medical licence for a year after he pleaded guilty to the allegations.

Painter had been counselling the patient, who had been going through a marital breakdown. The patient was contacted by the college about allegations of the breach. According to Brian Salte, legal counsel and spokesman for the college, the patient made a denial in a handwritten letter.

But the denial the woman forwarded to the college was a handwritten copy of a letter that Painter wrote, Salte said. The woman has since co-operated with the college in the disciplinary process.

The college then contacted Painter directly, and he co-operated fully and admitted to the relationship, Painter’s lawyer said.

According to Stack, Painter engaged in a relationship with a patient who is roughly about the same age.

He said what it comes down to is the fact the relationship itself breached the boundaries of his profession.

In the regulatory bylaws section that defines “unbecoming, improper, unprofessional or discreditable conduct,” one of the prohibited acts listed is “physician-patient sex whether initiated by the patient or not.” 

“The College of Physicians and Surgeons [of Saskatchewan] has a zero tolerance policy for sexual relationships between doctors and patients. The penalties are quite severe, actually,” Stack said, and added that his client intends to comply with the conditions.

The charges and disposition will be made available within days on the college’s website. 

Painter had been practicing medicine in Saskatchewan since 2002, and graduated from the University of Stellenbosch in South Africa with a medical degree in 1999. His licence was revoked on Friday.

This is the second case this year in which a Prince Albert-based doctor has been disciplined for having a sexual relationship with a patient. In June, Dr. Johannes Kriel had his licence revoked after he admitted to engaging in a consensual sexual relationship with one of his patients.

Stack said Painter will re-apply for his licence once the revocation period is over. He said he believes his client’s intent is to continue to work “in the community he’s served for many years,” indicating Painter plans to return to Prince Albert to practice medicine.

“He wishes to apologize to the community for these events.”

tjames@panow.com

On Twitter: @thiajames