Health Professional Defence

Representation at Health Professional Disciplinary Hearings

Health Care Professionals are regulated by their respective College, and are enacted by the Regulated Health Professionals Act, 1991, and by their profession’s specific legislation, for example, Nursing Act, 1991, for Registered Nurses and Registered Practical Nurses in Ontario.

Regulatory Colleges are mandated to protect members of the public, by ensuring healthcare professionals are regulated and safe to practice.  Regulatory Colleges are not there to defend the Healthcare Professional.  On receipt of a compliant a healthcare college is mandated to fully investigate the complaint through a process by the College’s Inquiries Complaints and Reports Committee (ICRC).  The ICRC has the right to instruct the College Investigator to interview any witness, including the Healthcare Professional during the course of their investigation.  The Healthcare Professional will be required to provide a written response to the complaint.  Based on the outcome of the college investigation the ICRC can make the following decisions:

Take no further action;

Provide an undertaking for the Healthcare Professional to take further education;

Provide an official caution;

Refer your matter to the Disciplinary Hearing.

Any referral to the Disciplinary Board, or decision by the Board will be published on the College’s website for public viewing.  These decisions can have immediate impact to your professional status, and or, your career within the profession.

Benchmark Legal LLP, has experience dealing with Regulatory College matters, and appreciates the stress any investigation can cause.  The process can appear accusatory, and places the Healthcare Professional in a position to defend their actions.  We will advocate for you, every step of the way, and ensure that your side of the story is heard. 

NOTE: A significant amount of inquiries featuring “lawyers near me” or “best lawyer in” typically signify a pressing demand for proficient legal counsel rather than a particular designation.  In Ontario, licensed paralegals are governed by the same Law Society that directs lawyers and have the authority to represent clients in specified litigation issues.  Skills in advocacy, legal interpretation, and procedural expertise are fundamental to this function.  Benchmark Legal Offices provides legal representation within its licensed parameters, focusing on tactical positioning, evidence preparation, and compelling advocacy designed to secure efficient and advantageous outcomes for clients.