A Sudbury neurosurgeon has had his practice suspended on an interim basis by the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Ontario (CPSO).
Effective June 16, Mantle’s certificate of registration with the college was suspended over concerns he “engaged in professional misconduct and/or was incompetent in his performance and reporting of electromyography studies and nerve conduction studies,” the college states on its website. “As a result of the investigation, Dr. Mantle has ceased to perform electromyography studies and nerve conduction studies.”
Mantle has been a practising neurosurgeon since 2005.
John Hopkins Medicine describes electromyography as a diagnostic procedure that “measures muscle response or electrical activity in response to a nerve's stimulation of the muscle. The test is used to help detect neuromuscular abnormalities. During the test, one or more small needles (also called electrodes) are inserted through the skin into the muscle.”
The college provided little information on the reasons for the suspension. CPSO spokesperson Shae Greenfield said the college had initiated an investigation into “whether Dr. Mantle engaged in professional misconduct and/or was incompetent in his performance and reporting of electromyography studies and nerve conduction studies.”
However, to address the CPSO’s concerns, Greenfield said Mantle agreed to stop using electromyography in his practice. The reasons, though, remain unknown.
“Under the Regulated Health Professions Act, we are prohibited from disclosing further details of that investigation.”
In June, Mantle’s practice was suspended by the CPSO’s Investigations, Complaints and Reports Committee (under Section 25.4 of the Act). This section permits the college to restrict a doctor’s practice “where there is evidence that the public and/or patients would otherwise be put at risk.”
But again, Greenfield said, “we are prohibited from disclosing additional details about the precipitating factors at this time.”
In addition, because of the college’s decision to restrict Mantle’s practice, he is unable to practice at Health Sciences North, the hospital said in an emailed statement to Sudbury.com.
Mantle’s patients at the hospital have been reassigned to one of three other practicing neurosurgeons at HSN.
“Other patients should contact their Family Practitioner (sic) if they require referral to another neurosurgeon,” the hospital said.
While the suspension of a neurosurgeon could likely impact the hospital’s neurosurgical waitlist, HSN said it continues to be ahead of the provincial curve when dealing with a backlog of patients awaiting services.
“There are about 180 patients awaiting neurosurgery services at HSN, compared to 154 pre-pandemic,” the hospital said. “HSN continues to perform better than provincial averages when it comes to completed cases. For example 55 per cent of HSN spinal surgery patients are treated within the target time compared to 50 per cent at the provincial level.”
