On September 16, 2014 a panel of the Inquiries, Complaints and Reports Committee referred allegations pertaining to Samir Shah to the Discipline Committee for a hearing. The hearing took place on April 13, 2015.
Summary of the Allegations
Samir Shah was the Co-owner of Square One Physiotherapy in Mississauga, Ontario along with another physiotherapist.
Mr. Shah’s certificate of registration was suspended between September 21, 2012 and November 2, 2012 as a result of an order made by a panel of the Discipline Committee of the College. During this time Mr. Shah continued to practice as a physiotherapist. Invoices for services provided during this time by Mr. Shah referenced the co-owner as the provider of record which was incorrect. In addition Mr. Shah falsified records during this period.
Findings
The parties agreed and the panel of the Discipline Committee confirmed that Mr. Shah had committed the following acts of professional misconduct in that he:
- failed to meet the standards of practice of the profession
- practiced the profession while his certificate of registration was suspended
- failed to comply with an Order of a statutory Committee
- engaged in conduct or performed an act relevant to the practice of the profession that having regard to all the circumstances would reasonably be regarded by members of the profession as disgraceful, dishonorable or unprofessional
- falsified a record
- submitted an account or charge for services that he knew or ought to have known were false or misleading
Penalty
The panel rejected the joint submission on penalty (in part) as presented by the parties and imposed a penalty that reflected a longer period of suspension. The Panel ordered the following:
- That Mr. Shah's certificate of registration is suspended for a period of nine months. Mr Shah will be required to serve six months (of the nine) if he completes the following within the required timelines:
- Mr. Shah will receive a reprimand
- Mr. Shah will be required to complete a number of practice enhancement activities
- Mr. Shah's practice will be monitored for a period of two years following his return to practice
- Mr. Shah will pay costs to the College in the amount of $12 000.
Updated: April 29, 2015