The College of Physicians and Surgeons of Nova Scotia gives notice that a Hearing Committee has issued a decision dated December 1, 2025 respecting allegations of professional misconduct against Dr. Manivasan Moodley, arising from three patient complaints.
A publication ban was issued with respect to this hearing to protect the identity of the three patients. They are referenced in the Decision as Patients A, B, and C. Any information that could identify the patients has been redacted from the published decision.
The Hearing Committee met over the course of 15 days in 2024 and 2025 to hear evidence respecting these allegations. In its decision, the Hearing Committee found that Dr. Moodley committed professional misconduct with respect to certain allegations arising from two of the patient complaints, and dismissed all allegations arising from the third patient complaint. In particular, the decision concludes as follows:
- With respect to Patient A, the Hearing Committee has found that Dr. Manivasan Moodley committed professional misconduct by:
- Failing to treat Patient A in a patient-centric manner and, in particular, by failing to obtain her consent to perform an episiotomy in accordance with the College’s Professional Standard and Guidelines Regarding Informed Consent to Treatment, by performing an episiotomy contrary to the expressed wishes of Patient A and by failing to inform Patient A that he performed an episiotomy;
- Manually removing the placenta, which was not clinically indicated, and without providing Patient A with pain relief medication, thereby causing her unnecessary or otherwise avoidable pain and discomfort;
- Providing inaccurate, incomplete or misleading information to the College’s Investigation Committee respecting comments made by staff during the clinical encounter with Patient A; and
- Documenting the care provided to Patient A either inaccurately, incompletely or otherwise contrary to accepted standards.
The Hearing Committee has dismissed the allegation that Dr. Manivasan Moodley committed professional misconduct by demonstrating a deficiency in knowledge and judgment regarding the clinical indication for episiotomies and by demonstrating an attitude towards nursing staff that did not support a collaborative approach to patient care.
- With respect to Patient B, the Hearing Committee has found that Dr. Manivasan Moodley committed professional misconduct by:
- Failing to communicate with Patient B throughout the clinical encounter in accordance with accepted standards and misleading Patient B on the probability of another physician performing a tubal ligation in similar circumstances.
- Failing to respect Patient B’s autonomy regarding decisions about her reproductive health by suggesting it was her future husband’s decision as to whether she should have a tubal ligation in the present circumstances and attempting to discourage Patient B from seeking a tubal ligation by negatively focusing the discussion in the clinical encounter in a sexist and paternalistic manner; and
- Interfering with the College’s investigative process by contacting a potential witness in an effort to gain information about Patient B after her complaint was under investigation, contrary to Section 46 of the Medical Act.
The Hearing Committee has dismissed the allegation that Dr. Manivasan Moodley committed professional misconduct by acting contrary to the College’s Professional Standard and Guidelines Regarding Informed Patient Consent to Treatment by failing to inform Patient B of both the risks and benefits of tubal ligation.
- The Hearing Committee has dismissed the allegation that Dr. Manivasan Moodley committed any professional misconduct with respect to Patient C.
A copy of the full decision, subject to redactions, is attached here.
The Hearing Committee will resume the hearing on January 16, 2026 at the offices of the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Nova Scotia to consider submissions from the College and Dr. Moodley respecting the disposition of this matter under section 115 of the Medical Act. The hearing will be subject to the same publication ban in place for the hearing of the allegations, as follows:
- No person is permitted to publish or disclose the names of the complainants and any information that could identify them.
- The public, other than the media, are excluded from attending the hearing.
The reasons for the publication ban are found on pages 24-28 of the Decision.
For further information respecting the resumption of the hearing on January 16, 2026, contact the College at: media@cpsns.ns.ca.