Calgary family physician, Dr. Phu Vu, has been suspended from practice as of August 29, 2022. According to the College of Physicians & Surgeons of Alberta (CPSA), the decision was made after a hearing tribunal found that the doctor's conduct constitutes “sexual abuse” as defined in the Health Professions Act.

Dr. Vu had two allegations levelled at him from two different patients, both including inappropriate and unsolicited behaviour during sensitive examinations.

"Both allegations were proven, however, the first preceded An Act to Protect Patients, while the second occurred post-legislation and was found to meet the definition of 'sexual abuse.'"

Notes from the decision of the hearing tribunal, underline that the tribunal concluded that the conduct in relation to the first allegation constituted a breach of the Pre-Bill 21 Standard of Practice, and the conduct in relation to the second allegation constituted a breach of the PostBill 21 Standard of Practice.

"Further, the breaches committed by Dr. Vu were not merely technical or trivial; they are sufficient to rise to the level of unprofessional conduct," the decision stated. "

Under section 81.1(1) of the Health Professions Act, Dr. Vu’s practice permit is immediately suspended until the hearing tribunal releases its sanction decision.

This is the first CPSA hearing decision that has been released pertaining to An Act to Protect Patients, which was brought into effect on April 1, 2019.

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