Investigation Committee

Detailed information regarding the composition, authority and formal requirements of the Investigation Committee is contained in its Terms of Reference.

Matters are referred to the Investigation Committee:

by the Complaints Committee:

where a complainant who is not satisfied with the Complaints Committee's decision in relation to his/her complaint requests that the matter be reviewed by the Investigation Committee;
with the approval of the Chair of the Complaints Committee where a matter is not suitable for informal resolution and the Registrar or a medical consultant is of the opinion that a matter should be referred immediately to the Investigation Committee;

by the Registrar or the Executive Committee in circumstances where a referral to the Investigation Committee is advisable.

The Investigation Committee generally oversees the investigation of matters that have been referred to it and meets regularly to review the cases once the investigation is complete.

Investigation

Appointment of Investigator
The Investigation Chair appoints an investigator to conduct an investigation into the circumstances of the complaint.
Investigation
The investigator begins the investigation by examining:
- the complaint,
- the doctor’s response,
- other relevant information, which may include medical records.

Depending on the nature of the case, the investigator may take further steps to investigate the complaint, such as:

accessing and reviewing other records,
conducting interviews,
consulting with experts,
asking the complainant and/or the physician to meet with the investigator reviewing the complaint if additional information or clarification of the complaint is required.

The investigator also has the power to apply to the court to compel the production of things or records that may assist in the investigation.

2. Investigation Committee Meeting

Method of Review

The Investigation Committee does not meet with the complainant or the physician. It conducts a review of the documentation only.

Usually, that involves considering:

the complaint;
the physician's response to the complaint;
the complainant’s reply to the response from the physician, if any;
other records and documents relevant to the complaint that have been collected by the medical consultant and/or investigator, such as the record of the care provided to the complainant by the physician, summaries of interviews and consultants’ reports.

Possible Outcomes:

The Investigation Committee may:

decide that no further action be taken;
determine that the physician be issued a censure. A censure:
- is a form of discipline issued by resolution of the Investigation Committee;
- constitutes a reprimand or condemnation by peers of specified conduct by a member of the College;
- cannot be unilaterally imposed by the Investigation Committee. The physician must agree to accept it;
- forms part of the member’s discipline record with the College and may be referred to in any subsequent discipline proceedings against that member;
refer the matter to the Inquiry Committee of the College for a hearing;
accept a written agreement signed by the physician which may include terms and conditions of practice;
accept surrender of the physician's licence;
take any other appropriate action, including providing the physician with direction or advice.

Communication of Investigation Committee Decision
The complainant and the physician are informed, in writing, of the Investigation Committee's decision and the reasons for its decision. The Notice of Decision is sent by Registered Mail.

Appeals
The complainant has a right of appeal to the Appeal Committee . The physician does not. The appeal is to be made in writing to the Registrar, setting out the reasons for the appeal, and must be submitted within 30 days after the date the complainant is notified of the Investigation Committee’s decision. The College has no authority to extend this deadline.