Press Release

Private surgical clinics not accredited by College of Physicians and Surgeons

Halifax, March 1, 1999 - "The College of Physicians and Surgeons of Nova Scotia does not have the authority to monitor or oversee private surgical clinics," says Dr. Cameron Little, the College's Registrar. "Nor do we have any jurisdiction or right to accredit any of these facilities." Dr. Little's remarks follow several recent inquiries to the College about the qualifications of ophthalmologists working at the soon-to-open LASIK laser eye surgery clinic in Halifax.

"We license physicians to practice medicine and surgery after they have successfully completed a recognized training program, but we do not establish the necessary training requirements for new procedures that those physicians may undertake," says Dr. Little. "That is usually done by the facilities in which the physicians perform their procedures, or by their provincial or national professional associations."

Most surgical procedures within Nova Scotia continue to take place in hospitals, which monitor the qualifications and competence of their surgeons and other physicians. However, private surgical clinics are relatively new to the province, and their surgery and postoperative care is not externally reviewed. "The College would encourage a method of accrediting these facilities," Dr. Little says.

"Anyone who is considering undergoing a surgical procedure at a private clinic should speak to their physician before proceeding," says Dr. Little. " I also strongly encourage patients to carefully question the clinic's surgeon about the risks and possible complications of any surgery before consenting to it."

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Contact:
Bruce Thorne
Manager, Policy and Communications
College of Physicians and Surgeons of Nova Scotia
Suite 5005, 7071 Bayers Rd.
Halifax, Nova Scotia
B3L 2C2

Phone: (902) 421-2212
Cell: (902) 499-6403
Toll-free in Nova Scotia: 1-877-282-7767
E-mail: bthorne@cpsns.ns.ca

(Updated January 29, 2003)
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