A doctor whose name was associated with several alleged miscarriages of justice has been denied a job in Saskatoon.
A doctor whose name was associated with several alleged miscarriages of justice has been denied a job in Saskatoon.
This decision has been hailed as one to preserve public confidence and trust in the province's health system. The health officials in Saskatchewan have voted to curtail practicing privileges to former Hospital for Sick Children pathologist Dr. Charles Smith.Smith had been granted temporary privileges when hired by a medical school classmate to work at Saskatoon City Hospital on a one-year contract. But the Saskatoon Health Region Board, which has the ultimate say on the appointment, voted against a motion that would have permitted him to complete the contract that expires next September. The vote was 3 to 8.
"At this point we don't owe him anything," Dr. Barry Maber, vice-president of physicians for the Health Region of Saskatoon told reporters. "He's paid up to date. The public has to feel confident that the credentialing process that is used for physicians is credible and one of integrity."
The review was ordered after learning that Smith had misplaced crucial forensic evidence that could prove a Sault Ste. Marie man named William Mullins-Johnson had not murdered his 4-year-old niece.
Mullins-Johnson was recently freed pending a review by Justice Minister Irwin Cotler after spending 12 1/2 years behind bars.
