Kim Eskritt

The College alleged that the registrant audiologist engaged in professional misconduct and sexual abuse by inappropriately touching a student volunteer during a clinic visit.

The Discipline Committee found the complainant's evidence credible and concluded that the non-consensual touching occurred.

However, applying the Redhead criteria, the Committee determined the complainant was not a 'patient' under the Code, as the interaction was an educational demonstration rather than a clinical relationship.

Consequently, the sexual abuse allegation was dismissed, but the registrant was found to have committed professional misconduct for disgraceful, dishonourable, and unprofessional conduct, and for failing to maintain the standard of practice.

The registrant, a speech-language pathologist, admitted to professional misconduct for failing to comply with a previous order of the Inquiries, Complaints and Reports Committee (ICRC) requiring practice monitoring.

The Discipline Committee accepted a joint submission on penalty, finding it did not bring the administration of the discipline system into disrepute.

The registrant was reprimanded, suspended for one month, subjected to permanent practice restrictions regarding dysphagia intervention and acute care settings, and ordered to pay $2,000 in costs.

The College and the self-represented member brought a joint motion to adjourn the discipline hearing indefinitely.

The member had entered into an undertaking to permanently resign from the College, cease practicing in Ontario, and never reapply for membership.

The Discipline Committee granted the motion, finding that the permanent removal of the member from practice satisfied the College's mandate to protect the public interest.

The Member, an audiologist, faced allegations of professional misconduct for prescribing hearing aids without being involved in patient assessment, selection, or validation, and for failing to keep adequate records.

The Member admitted to the allegations and an Agreed Statement of Facts was presented.

The Discipline Committee found the Member committed professional misconduct.

Accepting a joint submission on penalty, the Committee ordered a reprimand, a one-month remitted suspension, remedial education, random audits for two years, and $4,000 in costs.