Canadian Military unhappy about doctor's suspension

From CBC News

The College of Physicians and Surgeons of New Brunswick has suspended the licence of a psychiatrist, against the wishes of his military employers at CFB Gagetown.

The decision to suspend James Hanley's licence to practise followed a ruling made by the College of Physicians and Surgeons in Newfoundland and Labrador three weeks ago.

Hanley practised in St. John's for more than two decades, but the college there revoked his licence in March after he admitted to having sex with a female patient.

The psychiatrist has been working for the military at CFB Gagetown, but the provincial college suspended his licence pending an investigation outcome that could take months, officials said.

Cmdr. David Wilcox, who is the military's most senior physician for Atlantic Canada, said Hanley's contract with military specified that he be a licensed doctor.

"Without a licence, then, the contract is null and void," said Wilcox, adding it will be a difficult time for Hanley's patients at CFB Gagetown.

"Some of them are going to be devastated," he said. "It's going to be very difficult for them. Critical to a good doctor-patient relationship is that trust and establishing a rapport, and it's going to be very difficult to parachute in another health care provider and continue on with the therapies."

The military has asked the New Brunswick college not to revoke Hanley's licence. It said CFB Gagetown needs Hanley because of a severe shortage of psychiatrists and because demand for their services is expected to increase as more soldiers return from Afghanistan.