Site Search
Skip to main content

College News

Notice of Hearing Regarding Dr. Enyinnaya Ezema

A Hearing Committee of the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Nova Scotia will convene to consider allegations of professional misconduct and conduct unbecoming against Dr. Enyinnaya Ezema. The Hearing will take place at the offices of McInnes Cooper (Suite 1300, Purdy’s Wharf, Tower II, 1969 Upper Water Street, Halifax Nova Scotia) on August 1, 2, 3, and 4 beginning at 9:30 a.m. each day. Hearings of the College of Physicians and Surgeons are open to the public except when, upon application by a party involved, the Hearing Committee determines that all or part of the proceedings should be closed. Please note that audio and video recording are not permitted at College Hearings. No further information about this Hearing is currently available for […]

Dalhousie University – Faculty of Medicine Admissions Review Committee Report Now Available

Dalhousie University’s Faculty of Medicine has released its 2016 Admissions Review Committee Report. The purpose of the review was to ensure that the admissions process bolstered the Faculty of Medicine’s commitment to service, excellence and broad considerations of diversity. The review committee was led by Dr. Gus Grant, Registrar and CEO of the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Nova Scotia. The review committee included a public member and experts in the fields of medicine, law, diversity, university admissions, and undergraduate medical education. Dalhousie University Admissions Review Committee Report

Go Slow When Tapering Patients on High Dose Opioids

The College’s Council recently endorsed the 2017 Canadian Guideline for Opioids for Chronic Non-Cancer Pain as evidence of best practice. Among the many recommendations, the guidelines identify that opioids are not a first line choice for chronic non-cancer pain. When opioids are indicated, an upper limit of 90 morphine equivalents per day is strongly recommended. As you incorporate these new guidelines into your practice, I would ask you pay particular attention to the […]

College Past President Dr. Elizabeth Mann Recognized

Dr. Elizabeth Mann was awarded the Canadian Medical Association (CMA) Honorary Membership Award at the recent annual general meeting of Doctors Nova Scotia. Dr. Mann was recognized in honour of her 37-year career as a general internist in Halifax. As a general internist, Dr. Mann provided medical care to patients at the Victoria General Hospital, the Queen Elizabeth II Health Sciences Centre and the North End Community Health Centre. Dr. Mann also served on the Council of the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Nova Scotia from June 2007 until May 2017. Dr. Mann served as President of the College from 2012 to 2014. During her tenure on Council, Dr. Mann chaired a number of committees including the Professional Standards Committee and an Investigations […]

College Endorses New Canadian Guideline for Opioid Prescribing

At its May 26 meeting, the Council of the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Nova Scotia endorsed the new 2017 Canadian Guideline for Opioids for Chronic Non-Cancer Pain as best practices for physicians in Nova Scotia. “The guidelines reflect the most current scientific evidence available in treating chronic non-cancer pain. The evidence concludes that high doses of opioids over long periods of time pose serious risks to patients including opioid dependency, addiction and overdose,” said Dr. Gus Grant, Registrar and CEO of the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Nova Scotia. Dr. Grant is one of the authors of the new

College Registrar & CEO Reappointed

D.A. (Gus) Grant, AB, LLB, MD, CCFP, ICD.D Reappointed as College Registrar & CEO The College of Physicians and Surgeons of Nova Scotia is pleased to announce the reappointment of Dr. D.A. (Gus) Grant as Registrar and CEO. Initially appointed to the post in 2011, Dr. Grant sits on the Board of the Medical Council of Canada, is the Past President of the Federation of Medical Regulatory Authorities of Canada, is a member of the Council of the Nova Scotia Regulated Health Professions Network, and is the Chair of the Nova Scotia Prescription Monitoring Program. Dr. Grant presently sits on the province’s Leadership Committee on Opioid Drug Misuse and Overdose. Dr. Grant has practised both law […]

College Professional Standard Regarding Medical Assistance in Dying Now Available

Canada’s federal legislation outlining the process and eligibility for medical assistance in dying in Canada received royal assent June 17th. The College’s Professional Standard Regarding Medical Assistance in Dying has been revised to ensure alignment with Bill C-14. Eligible patients will be able to access medical assistance in dying through the Nova Scotia Health Authority. Physicians are asked to contact the College if they require further clarification.

Health-Care Team Members Offering Medical Assistance in Dying in Nova Scotia Will Not Be Prosecuted

The province’s Public Prosecution Service issued a Directive June 16th confirming it will not prosecute any physicians or members of a health-care team, who participate in the provision of medical assistance in dying that falls within the scope of the Supreme Court of Canada’s Carter decision. “For us, that removes what was really the only lingering concern about whether this service could be delivered easily in the absence of federal legislation,” said Dr. Gus Grant, Registrar and CEO of the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Nova Scotia. The Directive […]

Professional Standard Regarding Medical Assistance in Dying for Nova Scotian Physicians

The suspension of the Supreme Court of Canada’s unanimous Carter decision decriminalizing physician assisted death will end on June 6th. Legislation regarding medical assistance in dying was tabled in the House of Commons on April 14th. Bill C-14 is still being scrutinized in the Senate and is not anticipated to be enacted into law by June 6th. In the absence of legislation, the Carter decision will then become the law of the land. In preparation the College has developed a Professional Standard Regarding Medical Assistance in Dying. Eligible patients according to this standard will be able to access this service through the Nova Scotia Health […]

College Endorses the US Centres for Disease Control and Prevention’s Guidelines for Prescribing Opioids for Chronic Pain

At its May 27thmeeting, the College Council endorsed the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC) Guidelines for Prescribing Opioids for Chronic Pain as best practices for physicians in Nova Scotia. “We recognize these guidelines represent a significant departure from present practice for many physicians,” said Dr. Gus Grant, Registrar and CEO of the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Nova Scotia. “The existing threshold dose is 200 milligrams per day of morphine. The CDC guidelines urge caution at doses of 50 milligrams and to avoid doses in excess of 90 milligrams. In essence, this represents a dramatic change, a dramatic […]