Suspended doctor returns to practice

A Charlottetown doctor, suspended by the P.E.I. College of Physicians and Surgeons in 2005, is back practising medicine.

Dr. Grant Matheson is now working 10 hours a week at the Four Neighbourhoods Community Health Centre in Charlottetown. The College of Physicians restored his licence, with conditions, in January.

"The physician has met the conditions to have a return of his licence and has received treatment during the past year, and is now felt by the college to be safe to return to the practice of medicine, and we're accepting of that," said Dr. Richard Wedge, director of medical programs for P.E.I.

Under the conditions of restoring his licence, Matheson is not allowed to prescribe narcotics and some other controlled drugs.

Matheson was found guilty of professional misconduct after he had been prohibited from prescribing narcotics for chronic pain in November 2004. The college did not release the details of the misconduct. His licence was suspended, and the suspension was extended in June 2006, citing continuing health issues.

Wedge said the province hopes Dr. Matheson will eventually be able to return to the practice of medicine full time.