P.E.I. psychiatrist cleared of all misconduct allegations

An Island psychiatrist who was accused of abusing a patient by using behaviour modification therapy has been cleared of all allegations by the governing body for doctors on P.E.I.

The 50-page ruling by the hearing committee of the P.E.I. College of Physicians and Surgeons instead finds fault with a member of the patient’s family. It also examines the struggle faced in finding appropriate long-term care for the patient, Laurel Hurst.

The Aug. 17 ruling, a copy of which was obtained by CBC News, followed hearings conducted earlier this year in which 19 people testified, including Dr. Arvind Singh.

“The evidence around this allegation involving ‘restrictive behaviour modification’ was perplexing at best,” wrote the three members of the hearing committee.

“The phrases ‘restrictive behaviour modification’ or ‘behaviour modification therapy’ do not appear in over 8,400 pages of Laurel’s medical chart.”

“Dr. Singh testified extensively about Laurel’s medical and psychiatric conditions … this committee finds no unfitness or incompetence … Accordingly, all of the allegations against Dr. Singh are dismissed.”

Patient needed specialized care

Laurel Hurst, 40, is living with late-stage Huntington’s Disease. It’s a genetic neurological disorder with symptoms that can include physical disability, dementia-like behaviours and emotional outbursts.

Hurst was admitted to the mental health unit of Prince County Hospital in January 2017, after she was picked up by Summerside Police following an incident of erratic behaviour in the driveway of a private home.

Hurst remained at PCH for more than a year, under the care of Dr. Singh, while staff tried to find long-term care and relations with the Hurst family deteriorated.

“Huntington’s patients require specialized care … this type of care is unfortunately not available on P.E.I.,” the ruling states. “Significantly, virtually no one working in the [mental health unit of PCH] had any experience or training in dealing with an HD patient.”

“There was unanimous agreement amongst everyone — caregiver and family alike — that Laurel did not belong in a mental health unit in an acute care hospital … improved management of her behaviour was seen as critical to her being able to relocate to [long-term care].”

The ruling also noted the “torturous process” encountered by…