Complaints & Reports Under Investigation
Transparency is at the core of how we work. Being open in our decisions and providing Ontarians with useful information helps increase public confidence in the profession’s ability to self-regulate.
As part of this commitment to transparency, the College publishes summaries of outstanding complaint and report investigations. Our goal is to provide the public and profession with information about complaints and reports reviewed by the Inquiries, Complaints and Reports Committee (ICRC). The ICRC derives its power from the Regulated Health Professions Act, 1991 to deal with concerns about naturopaths’ conduct, practice and behaviour. Cases are anonymously referenced by complaint file number.
Detailed information about complaints and reports, as well as the practice or conduct of naturopaths, is also included in our Annual Report, in our iNformeD newsletter and in the Complaints and Discipline sections of this website.
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Active Files
Complaints and Reports Investigation Process
FILE # DATE FILE OPENED SUMMARY OF ISSUES/CONCERNS STAGE 22-024R April 25, 2023 Practising the profession while the Registrant’s certificate of registration has been suspended.
Inappropriately using a title or designation while the Registrant’s certificate of registration has been suspended.Stage 3 22-027 August 31, 2022 Misleading advertising and practising outside the naturopathic scope. Stage 3 22-029R March 28, 2023 Conducting an assessment and communicating a naturopathic diagnosis to patients located outside Ontario.
Failing to ensure the patient has sufficient information to make valid decisions about their care.
Providing an assessment and communicating a diagnosis outside the naturopathic doctor – patient relationship.
Inappropriately using a term, title or designation indicating or implying a specialization in the profession.
Failing to comply with the Standard of Practice for Fees and Billing.Stage 3 22-032 November 29, 2022 Providing or attempting to provide services or treatment that the Registrant knows or ought to know to be beyond the Registrant’s knowledge, skill or judgment.
Permitting the advertising of the Registrant or their practice in a manner that may be misleading.Stage 3 22-033R April 4, 2023 Contravening or failing to maintain the Standard of Practice for Advertising, Fees and Billing, and Restricted Titles. Stage 3 23-006 May 1, 2023 Inappropriate treatment provided to a patient.
Failure to provide a patient with all relevant information about the recommended treatment
Failure to obtain a patient’s informed consent.
Failure to respond to a patient in a timely manner.Stage 3 23-007 May 24, 2023 Failure to establish naturopathic doctor-patient relationship with the patient prior to recommending IM injection treatment.
Failure to conduct an assessment and formulate a working diagnosis based on subjective and/or objective findings prior to administering a substance by injection or recommending IM injection treatment.
Failure to obtain the patient’s informed consent prior to recommending IM injection treatment.
Recommending a treatment that might have harmed the patient.
Issuing an invoice and/or receipt for the services the Registrant did not provide.
Failure to appropriately delegate IM injections to another provider.Stage 3b 23-008 June 16, 2023 Failure to receive recommendations or protocol after initial appointment. Stage 3 23-010R July 12, 2023 Failing to use the inactive title while holding an Inactive Certificate of Registration.
Using the title “Dr.” without the appropriate restricted title directly following their name.
Using a term, title or designation indicating or implying a specialization in an area of practice of the profession.Stage 3 23-012 August 8, 2023 Failing to comply with an order of a panel of the College and/or failing to reply appropriately and within 30 days to a written inquiry or request from the College.
Failing to comply with the Quality Assurance Regulation under the Naturopathy Act.Stage 1 23-013 July 25, 2023 Failure to appropriately address the patient’s concern and concerns about treatment recommendations. Recommending or providing a treatment that might have harmed the patient.
Failure to respond to the patient’s concerns about the recommended treatment.
Failure to ensure that the patient had sufficient information to make valid decisions about their care.Stage 2 Stage 1. Notice of Complaint/Report
Within 14 days of receipt of a complaint or a report, the College issues a notice of complaint/report and provides a copy of complaint/report to the Registrant in question. The Registrant may make a written submission to the ICRC within 30 days of the date of the notice.
Stage 2. Additional comments from complainant (Complaints ONLY)
The Registrant’s response is provided to the complainant who may provide comment.
Stage 3. Review by ICRC
Once the supporting documentation and relevant information have been collected from the parties and possible witnesses involved in the complaint/report, the matter is reviewed by a panel of the ICRC. The Panel conducts a thorough review of the information and considers whether there are any additional documents that should be obtained or any other witnesses who should be approached.
Stage 3a. Expert Opinion
Where standards of practice within the profession are an issue, the Panel may retain a knowledgeable member of the profession to provide an expert opinion. Similarly, experts in document analysis, DNA, mental health or other disciplines may be required in some cases.
Stage 3b. Formal Investigation (Complaints ONLY)
In some circumstances the Panel may appoint a formal Investigator, who has the power to:
- Enter the Registrant’s place of practice and examine records or equipment and, where necessary, copy them or remove them.
- Summons witnesses or documents.
- Obtain a search warrant.
Stage 4. Decision and ReasonsOnce the investigation is completed, the ICRC deliberates on the potential outcomes of the complaint/report. The ICRC Decision Pathway is a simplified tool which explains how the decisions are made.
A written decision and the reasons for the decision are provided to both the complainant and the Registrant except where the matter has been referred to the Discipline Committee or to another panel of the ICRC to conduct health inquires.
Stage 5. Implementation of the Outcomes
The College monitors compliance with all ICRC outcomes. If a Registrant fails to comply with a decision of the ICRC, the CEO of the College, with the approval of the ICRC, may appoint an investigator to inquire into the Registrant’s actions and the reasons for non-compliance.
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Closed Files
Includes all files closed between September 12, 2021 – September 12, 2023
FILE # DATE FILE OPENED SUMMARY OF ISSUES/CONCERNS OUTCOME DATE FILE CLOSED 19-016R November 8, 2019 Failing to notify the College within 30 days of any current charges against the Registrant.
Engaging in conduct that would reasonably be regarded by registrants as conduct unbecoming a registrant of the profession.
Using or permitting the use of a testimonial from a patient, former patient or other person in respect of the registrant’s practice.No further action March 3, 2022 19-031R October 13, 2021 Contravening, by act or omission, a standard of practice of the profession or failing to maintain the standard of practice of the profession.
Recommending or providing treatment that the Registrant knows or ought to know is unnecessary or ineffective.
Providing or attempting to provide services or treatment that the Registrant knows or ought to know to be beyond the Registrant’s knowledge, skill or judgment.
Performing a controlled act that the Registrant is not authorized to perform.
Failing to keep records in accordance with the standards of the profession.
Permitting the advertising of the Registrant or his or her practice in a manner that is false or misleading or that includes statements that are not factual and verifiable.
Using or permitting the use of a testimonial from a patient, former patient or other person in respect of the Registrant’s practice.
Inappropriately using a term, title or designation in respect of the Registrant’s practice.
Inappropriately using a term, title or designation indicating or implying a specialization in the profession.
Contravening, by act or omission, a provision of the Naturopathy Act, the Regulated Health Professions Act or the regulations under either of those Acts.
Contravening the Medicine Act, 1991.
Failing to carry out or abide by an undertaking given to the College or breaching an agreement with the College.Referred to Discipline Committee August 23, 2022 19-032R October 13, 2021 Contravening, by act or omission, a standard of practice of the profession or failing to maintain the standard of practice of the profession.
Recommending or providing treatment that the Registrant knows or ought to know is unnecessary or ineffective.
Providing or attempting to provide services or treatment that the Registrant knows or ought to know to be beyond the Registrant’s knowledge, skill or judgment.
Performing a controlled act that the Registrant is not authorized to perform.
Failing to keep records in accordance with the standards of the profession.
Permitting the advertising of the Registrant or his or her practice in a manner that is false or misleading or that includes statements that are not factual and verifiable.
Using or permitting the use of a testimonial from a patient, former patient or other person in respect of the Registrant’s practice.
Inappropriately using a term, title or designation in respect of the Registrant’s practice.
Inappropriately using a term, title or designation indicating or implying a specialization in the profession.
Contravening, by act or omission, a provision of the Naturopathy Act, the Regulated Health Professions Act or the regulations under either of those Acts.
Contravening the Medicine Act, 1991.Referred to Discipline Committee August 23, 2022 20-005R June 17, 2020 Inappropriately using a title or designation while suspended.
Advertising naturopathic services while suspended.
Practising the profession while suspended.No further action March 3, 2022 20-006R January 13, 2021 Contravening or failing to maintain the Standard of Practice for Advertising.
Advertising and/or providing services that the Registrant is not authorized to perform.
Using a term, title or designation indicating or implying a specialization in an area of practice of the profession.Letter of Counsel and SCERP October 7, 2021 20-007R January 13, 2021 Advertising and/or providing services that the Registrant is not authorized to perform. Letter of Counsel October 7, 2021 20-016R February 10, 2020 Practising the profession while suspended.
Inappropriately using a title or designation while suspended.
Performing and/or requisitioning laboratory tests that the Registrant is not authorized to perform/requisition.
Contravening by act or omission the Laboratory and Specimen Collection Centre Licensing Act, R.S.O.
Contravening or failing to maintain the Standard of Practice for Advertising.
Using a term, title or designation indicating or implying a specialization in an area of practice of the profession.
Using the “Dr.” title without the appropriate restricted title.
Failing to comply with the requirement under Part IV of Ontario Regulation 168/15 (General) made under the Naturopathy Act, 2007.
Performing IVIT prior to having met the Standards of Practice for Prescribing.Referred to Discipline Committee and Letter of Counsel November 4, 2021 20-021R November 18, 2020 Contravening or failing to maintain the Standard of Practice for Advertising.
Selling a drug or substance and/or recommending non-scheduled substances outside the Naturopathic Doctor-patient relationship.
Contravening or failing to comply with the General regulation under the Naturopathy Act and the Standard of practice for Prescribing.
Contravening the Standards of Practice for Fees and Billing.Referred to Discipline Committee November 4, 2021 20-023R October 21, 2021 Contravening, by act or omission, a provision of the Act, the Regulated Health Professions Act, 1991 or the regulations under either of those Acts.
Engaging in conduct that would reasonably be regarded by registrants as conduct unbecoming a registrant of the profession.Referred to Discipline Committee August 23, 2022 20-024R October 21, 2021 Contravening, by act or omission, a provision of the Act, the Regulated Health Professions Act, 1991 or the regulations under either of those Acts. Referred to Discipline Committee August 23, 2022 20-029 October 26, 2020 Providing services outside the naturopathic scope of practice.
Recommending or providing treatment that the Registrant knows or ought to know is unnecessary or ineffective.
Failure to maintain appropriate therapeutic relationships and professional boundaries with a patient.
Failure to make reasonable attempts to collaborate with the patient’s other relevant healthcare providers respecting the care of the patient.
Failure to refer the patient to or advise the patient to consult another healthcare provider when the Registrant knew or ought to have known that the patient required a service beyond their scope of practice.
Failure to obtain informed consent.Referred to Discipline Committee December 8, 2021 20-033R June 8, 2021 Providing or attempting to provide services or treatment that the Registrant knows or ought to know to be beyond the Registrant’s knowledge, skill or judgment.
Contravening or failing to maintain the Standard of Practice for Advertising.
Inappropriately using a term, title or designation.Referred to Discipline Committee March 24, 2022 20-034 December 8, 2020 Falsifying a record relating to the Registrant’s practice.
Issuing an invoice that is false or misleading.
Failing to keep records in accordance with the standards of the profession.SCERP January 13, 2022 21-004R July 6, 2021 Practising the profession while the Registrant’s certificate of registration was suspended.
Directly or indirectly benefiting from the practice of the profession while the Registrant’s certificate of registration was suspended.
Inappropriately using a title or designation while the Registrant’s certificate of registration was suspended.Letter of Counsel and SCERP December 2, 2021 21-005R June 8, 2021 Failing to comply with an order of a panel of the College. Referred to Discipline Committee March 24, 2022 21-006R May 25, 2021 Failing to comply with the General Regulation.
Contravening the Medicine Act, 1991.
Contravening or failing to maintain the Standards of Practice of the profession.Letter of Counsel, Oral Caution and SCERP December 2, 2021 21-007 May 11, 2021 Failure to co-operate with the Quality Assurance Committee. Oral Caution and SCERP October 7, 2021 21-009 May 11, 2021 Inappropriate billing procedures. SCERP June 2, 2022 21-010R June 15, 2021 Failing to comply with the General Regulation.
Contravening or failing to maintain the Standard of Practice for Advertising.
Using the “Dr.” title without the appropriate restricted title.Letter of Counsel October 7, 2021 21-013 April 15, 2021 Recommending or providing treatment that may have caused harm to a patient.
Failure to address a patient’s concerns about the treatment provided and the symptoms experienced by the patient.Oral Caution and SCERP December 2, 2021 21-015R July 30, 2021 Contravening, ss. 76(3) and (3.1) of the Health Professions Procedural Code, schedule 2 to the Regulated Health Professions Act, 1991. Referred to Discipline Committee March 24, 2022 21-016 June 10, 2021 Inappropriate or wrong diagnosis.
Recommending treatment that may have harmed a patient.
Failure to appropriately address a patient’s concerns regarding the side effects of the treatment.No further action June 2, 2022 21-017 June 29, 2021 Failure to document discussions with a patient.
Recommending and/ or providing treatment that may be harmful to a patient.
Failure to conduct a thorough intake assessment of a patient.
Failure to ensure that a patient has sufficient information to make valid decisions about their care.
Communicating with a patient unprofessionally.
Failure to be prepared for an emergency with a patient.Letter of Counsel February 3, 2022 21-018R January 5, 2022 Issuing an invoice, bill or receipt that the Registrant knows or ought to know is false or misleading.
Falsifying a record relating to the Registrant’s practice.Oral Caution and SCERP April 7, 2022 21-019R October 25, 2021 Failing to comply with section 25(a), Reporting of occurrences, of the Ontario Regulation 168/15 (General) made under the Naturopathy Act, 2007. Oral Caution February 3, 2022 21-020R March 22, 2022 Failing to co-operate fully with an investigator.
Contravening, by act or omission, a standard of practice of the profession or failing to maintain the following standard of practice of the profession: Consent; Fees and Billing; Inhalation; Prescribing; Record Keeping; Scope of Practice.Referred to Discipline Committee July 7, 2022 21-021R March 9, 2022 Failing to maintain an appropriate therapeutic relationship and professional boundaries with a patient.
Abusing a patient physically, psychologically and/or emotionally.
Engaging in an act of sexual abuse of a patient.
Acting in a conflict of interest.
Doing anything to a patient for a therapeutic, preventative, diagnostic or other health-related purpose without the informed consent of the patient.
Engaging in conduct that would reasonably be regarded by registrants as conduct unbecoming a registrant of the profession.
Engaging in conduct or performing an act relevant to the practice of the profession that, having regard to all the circumstances, would reasonably be regarded by registrants as disgraceful, dishonourable or unprofessional.Referred to Discipline Committee October 5, 2022 21-022R October 25, 2021 Failing to comply with the requirement under Part IV (Inspection of Premises Where Certain Procedures are Performed) of Ontario Regulation 168/15 (General) made under the Naturopathy Act, 2007.
Providing services that the Registrant is not authorized to perform at a specific location.Oral Caution February 3, 2022 21-023 July 22, 2021 Providing services outside the scope of practice. No further action January 13, 2022 21-024R October 5, 2021 Contravening or failing to maintain the Standard of Practice for Advertising.
Contravening or failing to maintain the Standard of Practice for Scope of Practice.
Contravening the College’s Policy on Vaccination by providing information about vaccination.
Engaging in conduct or performing an act relevant to the practice of the profession that, having regard to all the circumstances, would reasonably be regarded by registrants as disgraceful, dishonourable or unprofessional.SCERP February 3, 2022 21-025R January 12, 2022 Contravening or failing to maintain the Standard of Practice for Advertising.
Contravening or failing to maintain the Standard of Practice for Scope of Practice.
Contravening the College’s Policy on Vaccination by providing information about vaccination.
Engaging in conduct or performing an act relevant to the practice of the profession that, having regard to all the circumstances, would reasonably be regarded by registrants as disgraceful, dishonourable or unprofessional.Letter of Counsel May 5, 2022 21-026R January 12, 2022 Contravening or failing to maintain the Standard of Practice for Advertising.
Contravening or failing to maintain the Standard of Practice for Scope of Practice.
Contravening the College’s Policy on Vaccination by providing information about vaccination.
Engaging in conduct or performing an act relevant to the practice of the profession that, having regard to all the circumstances, would reasonably be regarded by registrants as disgraceful, dishonourable or unprofessional.Letter of Counsel May 5, 2022 21-027R March 30, 2022 Contravening or failing to maintain the Standard of Practice for Advertising.
Contravening or failing to maintain the Standard of Practice for Scope of Practice.
Contravening the College’s Policy on Vaccination by providing information about vaccination.
Engaging in conduct or performing an act relevant to the practice of the profession that, having regard to all the circumstances, would reasonably be regarded by registrants as disgraceful, dishonourable or unprofessional.No further action – Undertaking signed April 7, 2022 21-028R January 12, 2022 Contravening or failing to maintain the Standard of Practice for Advertising.
Contravening or failing to maintain the Standard of Practice for Scope of Practice.
Contravening the College’s Policy on Vaccination by providing information about vaccination.
Engaging in conduct or performing an act relevant to the practice of the profession that, having regard to all the circumstances, would reasonably be regarded by registrants as disgraceful, dishonourable or unprofessional.Letter of Counsel May 5, 2022 21-029 August 19, 2021 Inappropriate or wrong diagnosis.
Recommending treatment that may have harmed the patient.
Recommending/prescribing substances without conducting a thorough assessment.
Providing recommendations/advice that may be outside the scope of practice.
Failure to follow up with the patient regarding effects of the recommended treatment.Letter of Counsel February 3, 2022 21-030R November 25, 2021 Failing to comply with the requirement under Part IV (Inspection of Premises Where Certain Procedures are Performed) of Ontario Regulation 168/15 (General) made under the Naturopathy Act, 2007.
Providing services that the Registrant is not authorized to perform at a specific location.
Contravening or failing to maintain the Standard of Practice for Advertising.
Inappropriately using a term, title or designation indicating or implying a specialization in the profession.
Practising and/or advising outside the naturopathic scope.
Selling compounded drugs or substances to non-patients.SCERP March 3, 2022 21-031 August 25, 2021 Failure to retain and transfer patient records as per the Standard of Practice for Record Keeping. Letter of Counsel January 13, 2022 21-032 August 25, 2021 Failure to retain and transfer patient records as per the Standard of Practice for Record Keeping. Letter of Counsel January 13, 2022 21-033 September 8, 2021 Issuing an incorrect and/or misleading invoice, bill or receipt.
Billing an insurer for the services that have not been provided, alleged insurance fraud.
Failing to appropriately and/or timely address the patient’s billing concerns.Letter of Counsel February 3, 2022 21-034 September 8, 2021 Issuing an incorrect and/or misleading invoice, bill or receipt.
Billing an insurer for the services that have not been provided, alleged insurance fraud.
Failing to appropriately and/or timely address the patient’s billing concerns.Letter of Counsel September 8, 2022 21-035 October 4, 2021 Providing or attempting to provide services or treatment that the Registrant knows or ought to know was beyond their knowledge, skill or judgment.
Failure to refer the patient to another healthcare provider.
Failure to make reasonable attempts to collaborate with the patient’s other relevant healthcare providers respecting the care of the patient, where such collaboration is necessary for the patient’s health.
Advising and/or practising outside the scope of naturopathic practice.
Failure to maintain appropriate therapeutic relationships and professional boundaries with the patient.Oral Caution and SCERP October 6, 2022 21-036 October 13, 2021 Breeching privacy and confidentiality.
Failure to foster an appropriate therapeutic relationship with a patient.
Inappropriate diagnosis.
Holding out as a medical doctor.SCERP June 2, 2022 21-037 October 20, 2021 Failure to maintain appropriate therapeutic relationship and professional boundaries with a patient.
Credit Card fraud.Referred to Discipline Committee October 5, 2022 21-038 October 20, 2021 Prescribing a drug or substance for an improper purpose.
Issuing medical exemptions for face coverings.No further action June 2, 2022 21-039 November 11, 2021 Issuing vaccine exemption letters. Referred to Discipline Committee March 24, 2022 21-040 December 1, 2021 Recommending treatment that may be harmful to a patient.
Failing to respond to a patient’s concerns about recommended treatment.
Failing to ensure that a patient has sufficient information to make valid decisions about their care and provide their informed consent.Oral Caution and SCERP July 7, 2022 21-041 December 15, 2021 Failure to communicate effectively and provide information regarding treatment to a patient. Letter of Counsel June 2, 2022 21-042 December 21, 2021 Failure to maintain an appropriate therapeutic relationship and professional boundaries with a patient.
Acting in a conflict of interest when acting in a professional capacity.
Engaging in conduct or performing an act relevant to the practice of the profession that, having regard to all the circumstances, would reasonably be regarded by registrants as disgraceful, dishonourable or unprofessional.
Failure to maintain appropriate records.Referred to Discipline Committee October 5, 2022 22-001R May 26, 2022 Failing to establish and maintain fair and ethical fees and billing practices.
Contravening the Standards of Practice for Fees and Billing.
Failing to keep records in accordance with the standards of the profession.
Signing or issuing, in their professional capacity, a document that the registrant knows or ought to know contains a false or misleading statement.Letter of Counsel September 8, 2022 22-002 January 25, 2022 Failure to have the necessary qualifications to issue an exemption letter.
Failure to establish a naturopath–patient relationship prior to issuing an exemption letter.
Failure to perform an appropriate naturopathic assessment.No further action June 2, 2022 22-003 February 10, 2022 Contravening or failing to maintain the Standard of Practice for Advertising. Letter of Counsel October 6, 2022 22-004 February 14, 2022 Failing to wear a mask in a shared clinic space during the COVID-19 pandemic. Oral Caution June 2, 2022 22-005R May 3, 2022 Failing to comply with an interim suspension imposed by the ICRC.
Engaging in conduct that would reasonably be regarded as conduct unbecoming a member of the profession.
Practising the profession while the Registrant’s certificate of registration is suspended.No further action April 14, 2023 22-006R July 18, 2022 Contravening or failing to maintain the Standard of Practice for Advertising.
Making a claim respecting a drug, substance, remedy, treatment, device or procedures other than a claim that can be supported as reasonable professional opinion.
Contravening, by act or omission, a law if i) the purpose of the law is to protect or promote public health, or ii) the contravention is relevant to the members suitability to practise.Oral Caution and SCERP March 2, 2023 22-007 February 22, 2022 Posting information that is not accurate or verifiable and/or contains misleading and potentially harmful statements related to COVID-19 and the vaccines via a professional social media account.
Contravening the College’s Policy on Vaccination by providing information about COVID-19 vaccination.SCERP and Letter of Counsel June 2, 2022 22-008 February 23, 2022 Posting information that is not accurate or verifiable and/or contains misleading and potentially harmful statements related to COVID-19 and the vaccines via a professional social media account.
Contravening the College’s Policy on Vaccination by providing information about COVID-19 vaccination.SCERP and Letter of Counsel June 2, 2022 22-009 February 28, 2022 Inappropriate administration of the COVID-19 vaccine while working as an Immunizer for a COVID-19 Vaccination Clinic. No further action January 12, 2023 22-010R May 18, 2022 Committing an act of professional misconduct in accordance with s. 51(1)(b) of the Health Professions Procedural Code, schedule 2 of the Regulated Health Professions Act, 1991. No further action – Undertaking signed June 2, 2022 22-011 March 9, 2022 Charging excessive fees for a consultation appointment that did not include a diagnosis or treatment plan.
Failure to ensure the patient is informed about the fees to be charged and providing false or misleading information to the patient about the fees to be charged.
Failure to address and/or dismissing the patient’s concerns about the fees charged for the services provided.No further action August 11, 2022 22-012 March 10, 2022 Providing treatments outside the naturopathic scope.
Failure to provide the patient with the relevant information they need in order to make informed decisions about their care.
Failing to reveal the exact nature of a substance or treatment used by the Registrant following a request by a patient to do so.
Failing to ensure the patient is aware that the Registrant is not a medical doctor and is not authorized to perform cosmetic injections without a delegation from a medical doctor.
Recommending or providing ineffective treatment to a patient.
Failing to establish and maintain fair and ethical fees and billing practices and/or issue clearly itemized receipts.Letter of Counsel October 6, 2022 22-013R July 13, 2022 Advertising and/ or performing services outside the scope of practice of the profession.
Administering by injection a substance intradermally that is not listed in Table 2 of the General Regulation.Letter of Counsel November 3, 2022 22-014 April 4, 2022 Providing services outside the naturopathic scope of practice.
Recommending or providing treatment that the Registrant knows or ought to know is unnecessary or ineffective.
Failure to refer the patient to or advise the patient to consult another healthcare provider.
Failure to maintain an appropriate therapeutic relationship and professional boundaries with a patient.No further action February 2, 2023 22-015 April 11, 2022 Providing or attempting to provide services that the Registrant ought to know to be beyond the scope of naturopathic services.
Permitting the advertising of the Registrant or their practice in a manner that may have mislead the patient.
Using the “Dr.” title without the appropriate restricted title, Naturopathic Doctor directly following the Registrant’s name.Oral Caution November 3, 2022 22-016 April 22, 2022 Providing or attempting to provide services that the Registrant ought to know to be beyond the scope of naturopathic services.
Recommending or providing treatment that may have caused harm to a patient.Oral Caution September 7, 2023 22-017 April 26, 2022 Engaging in discriminatory comments while acting as a naturopath.
Imbuing problematic rhetoric that may affect the Registrant’s ability to provide quality naturopathic care.
Failure to recognize their position of power and create a safe space.
Communicating inappropriately and unprofessionally.
Engaging in conduct or performing an act relevant to the practice of the profession that, having regard to all the circumstances, would reasonably be regarded by Registrants as disgraceful, dishonourable or unprofessional.
Engaging in conduct that would reasonably be regarded by registrants as conduct unbecoming a registrant of the profession.Letter of Counsel October 6, 2022 22-018R May 11, 2022 Failing to comply with an order of the Discipline Committee of the College. Referred to Discipline Committee August 11, 2022 22-020 July 6, 2022 Recommending or providing a treatment that might have harmed the patient.
Failure to perform acupuncture safely, ethically, and competently and/or failure to identify contraindications to acupuncture.
Failure to address the patient’s concerns about the treatment provided and/or appropriately supervise the patient during acupuncture treatment.
Failure to keep records in accordance with the standards of the profession and/or falsifying a record relating to the Registrant’s practice.SCERP and Oral Caution June 1, 2023 20-021 July 14, 2022 Failure to ensure the patient had sufficient information to make valid decisions about their care.
Failure to obtain the patient’s informed consent prior to touching the patient and initiating treatment.
Failure to maintain appropriate boundaries when administering the treatment and/or rectify a boundary violation after touching the patient without their consent.
Failure to follow appropriate infection control protocols, including but not limited to sterilizing the injection site and wearing gloves when administering an injection.SCERP March 2, 2023 22-022 July 26, 2022 Posting information that is not accurate or verifiable and/or contains misleading and potentially harmful statements related to COVID-19 and the vaccines via a professional social media account. Letter of Counsel December 1, 2022 22-023 August 4, 2022 Failing to appropriately address the patient’s primary concern and/or concerns regarding the side effects of the treatment recommended.
Providing an inappropriate or wrong diagnosis.
Providing services or treatment beyond the Registrant’s knowledge, skill or judgment and/or outside the Registrant’s scope of practice.
Recommending treatment that may have harmed the patient.
Failing to keep records in accordance with the standards of the profession.SCERP and Oral Caution May 4, 2023 22-025 August 23, 2022 Failure to notify the College within thirty days of the effective date, any change to the information published on the register as set out in articles 20.01 through 20.11 of the College by-laws.
Failure to have a comprehensive understanding of privacy legislation.No further action January 12, 2023 22-026 August 25, 2022 Failure to meet with the patient at the scheduled appointment time.
Failure to provide information discussed during the appointment to the patient in a timely manner.
Inappropriate billing procedures.
Failure to ensure the patient is informed about the fees to be charged.
Failure to address and/or dismissing the patient’s concerns about the fees charged for the services provided. Communicating with the patient inappropriately and/or unprofessionally, and failing to maintain appropriate therapeutic relationship with the patient.Letter of Counsel August 3, 2023 22-028R March 1, 2023 Failing to comply with the Ontario Regulation 168/15 (General) made under the Naturopathy Act.
Failure to comply with Standards of Practice for Intravenous Infusion Therapy and Injections.
Failure to comply with Standards of Practice for Prescribing.
Providing or attempting to provide services or treatment that the Registrant knows or ought to know to be beyond their knowledge, skill or judgment.
Contravening or failing to maintain the Standard of Practice for Advertising.Letter of Counsel and Oral Caution July 6, 2023 22-030 October 18, 2022 Failure to respond to a potential patient’s inquiries. No further action January 12, 2023 22-031 November 15, 2022 Failure to respond to a patient in a timely manner. No further action June 1, 2023 22-034 December 15, 2022 Practising the profession while the Registrant’s certificate of registration has been suspended by the order of the Inquiries, Complaints and Reports Committee. No further action May 8, 2023 23-001 January 10, 2023 Failing to appropriately supervise a person whom the Registrant is professionally obligated to supervise.
Misleading and/or non-transparent communications with the patient.
Issuing or allowing another person to issue receipts for services the Registrant did not provide using their name and registration number.
Allowing another person to requisition tests using the Registrant’s name and registration number.
Failing to obtain the patient’s informed consent prior to treatment.SCERP and Oral Caution September 7, 2023 23-002 February 16, 2023 Failing to comply with an order of a panel of the College and/or failing to reply appropriately and within 30 days to a written inquiry or request from the College.
Failing to comply with the Quality Assurance Regulation under the Naturopathy Act.SCERP and Oral Caution June 1, 2023 *IVIT – Intravenous Infusion Therapy*