A local doctor who's been banned from practising family medicine is taking an active role in finding a new doctor for his patients.
The College of Physicians and Surgeons of Ontario has ruled that 68-year-old Dr. Thomas Barnard "engaged in disgraceful, dishonourable or unprofessional conduct" and has put a number of conditions on his practice.
The ruling follows the death of a former patient.
A coroner's report listed the cause of death as 'multi-drug toxicity' which included controlled substances prescribed by Barnard.
He says the ruling leaves thousands of patients looking for new care. "I'm seeing the children of the children of my original patients, and families who I really care about, and I'd really like to help them get settled with somebody who cares as well. I've had some good calls from colleagues, young family doctors with some interest. So hopefully, in the next few weeks, a lot of this will shape up."
He's also looking into a young doctor from Alberta taking over his practice.
Barnard plans to retire March 17th.