New Glasgow doctor accused of planting camera in bathroom has licence suspended

A New Glasgow doctor accused of voyeurism has had his licence suspended by the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Nova Scotia.

Rafid Al-Nassar was charged Tuesday by police in New Glasgow, who allege the 41-year-old man planted a video camera in the staff washroom at the Westside Medical Clinic.

The allegation shocked some patients at the clinic. One of them, Elwood Reid, praised Al-Nassar as a good doctor who took the time to explain ailments and what should be done to fix them.

"He's one of the best I've ever seen," Reid said.

Reid said he went three years without a doctor before Al-Nassar, and he's worried about finding another one.

The Nova Scotia Health Authority would only say it is not booking appointments for the doctor at this time. The College of Physicians and Surgeons of Nova Scotia is not helping his former patients find a new doctor.

'How can you trust them after that?'

Janet Boudreau, a patient with another doctor at the clinic, said she felt "invaded" when she learned of the allegations.

"How can you trust them after that?" she said.

Const. Ken MacDonald of the New Glasgow Regional Police said all of the people captured on the bathroom video were identified and contacted by police.

He said police began their nine-month investigation after receiving a complaint from a staff member.

Al-Nassar is set to appear in Pictou provincial court Dec. 5. He is not in custody but must follow a series of release conditions, including staying away from telecommunications devices and notifying police of any changes in address or employment.

The College of Physicians and Surgeons has suspended Al-Nassar's licence, a move registrar Dr. Gus Grant said was necessary to protect the integrity of the profession.

"Given the serious nature of the charges, the investigation committee that was seized with this matter felt that the appropriate step at this point in time, in the interest of the public and in the interest of the profession, was to suspend Dr. Al-Nassar's licence until such time as the college can hear from him with respect to these matters," Grant said Wednesday.

Release conditions

The college, which regulates the medical profession in Nova Scotia, was alerted to the charges by the Nova Scotia Health Authority.

"Given the step that was taken yesterday, the college will essentially stand aside as the criminal justice process takes its course, unless of course Dr. Al-Nassar requests an audience before an investigation committee to consider the merits of this interim suspension," Grant said.

Al-Nassar received his Nova Scotia medical licence in November 2011.