Professional Conduct reports – September 2024

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Recent hearing outcome

Dr. Richard Hatfield sanctioned for failing to maintain appropriate boundaries with patient

A CPSA Hearing Tribunal sanctioned family physician Dr. Richard Hatfield for failing to maintain appropriate boundaries with a patient and for improperly prescribing drugs prone to misuse.

Dr. Hatfield was accused of violating physician-patient boundaries in 2023 by hugging and attempting to kiss a patient—actions which meet the definition of sexual misconduct under the Health Professions Act. Dr. Hatfield also prescribed a stimulant and a benzodiazepine to the same patient without meeting the documentation requirements of CPSA’s Prescribing: Drugs Associated with Substance Use Disorders or Substance-Related Harm standard of practice.

Dr. Hatfield admitted to the allegations, and the Hearing Tribunal accepted a joint recommendation on sanction, the particulars of which are:

• Hatfield will receive a reprimand.
• Hatfield’s practice permit is suspended for three months, with two months held in abeyance pending completion of the Tribunal’s remaining orders (Dr. Hatfield’s CPSA registration has been inactive since May 2023; the suspension will take effect if/when Dr. Hatfield returns to practice in Alberta).
• At his own expense, Dr. Hatfield must complete and unconditionally pass two courses, one on boundaries and another on prescribing controlled substances.
• Hatfield is responsible for 75% of the costs of the investigation and hearing.

Under An Act to Protect Patients, health professionals in Alberta who are found guilty of sexual misconduct towards a patient are subject to a mandatory suspension. The written decision from the Hearing Tribunal can be reviewed in full on CPSA’s website.