A Chatham-Kent doctor whose hospital privileges have been suspended for refusing to comply with a COVID-19 vaccine policy is set to appeal the decision.
Dr. Ian DePass had his hospital privileges revoked indefinitely by the Chatham-Kent Health Alliance on November 1, 2021, after he failed to obtain the first dose of the COVID-19 vaccine, as per the hospital’s COVID-19 Vaccine Policy. The hospital’s board upheld the suspension following a hearing in February 2022.
DePass, who practiced as a surgical assistant prior to the suspension, will appear before the Health Professions Appeal and Review Board beginning on Wednesday. The hearing is expected to last six days and then written submissions will be submitted to the hospital board.
The Democracy Fund, a charity that defends peoples’ constitutional rights, has retained Ontario lawyer Lisa Bildy to represent DePass.
Officials with CKHA told CKXS News that they cannot comment on the issue.
This is also not the first time DePass has been disciplined within the medical field.
According to the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Ontario, in October 2009, a discipline committee found DePass committed an act of professional misconduct and failed to maintain the standard of practice of the profession involving three patients in his care.
The discipline committee ordered that DePass be demoted from a general surgeon to a surgical assistant who can only practice with a certified surgeon in attendance.
DePass was again reprimanded in July 2012 when he admitted to professional misconduct regarding his care and treatment of five patients. As a result, he was ordered to pay a $3,650 fine.
DePass was first licenced as a general surgeon in 1997.