The Adjudication Tribunal convened on October 23, 2023, and found Douglas Barton, Registration No. 20381 (the Respondent), guilty of conduct deserving of sanction under the Registered Nurses Act, 2008, subsection 18(c)(i) professional misconduct and 18(c)(v) acting in breach of the Act, Regulations or the Code of Ethics.
Decision Summary
The allegations alleged that the Respondent failed to meet the expected standards of practice of a registered nurse in that the Respondent, on or about October 2, 2021, engaged in inappropriate conduct in the workplace including cursing, throwing things, and making in appropriate statements about the Covid 19 vaccine.
The events of the Allegation occurred while the Respondent was working for then, Eastern Regional Integrated Health Authority at the Janeway Child Health Centre until J4D.
In a decision dated January 15, 2024, the Adjudication Tribunal determined sufficient notice to the Respondent had been provided and despite the Respondent’s failure to attend allowed the hearing to proceed. The Adjudication Tribunal accepted affidavit evidence presented by the College and found the Respondent guilty of conduct deserving of sanction.
The Adjudication Tribunal directed the College and Respondent to re-convene before the Adjudication Tribunal on a date to be determined for the purpose of determining sanctions to be imposed.
On April 9, 2024, the Adjudication Tribunal convened to consider sanctions to be imposed on the Registrant.
In a decision dated July 22, 2024, the Adjudication Tribunal reprimanded the Respondent for his conduct; ordered that the Respondent’s eligibility to renew his licence to practice nursing be conditional upon the College receiving a letter confirming the Respondent’s fitness to practice including details of a treatment plan related to regulation of emotional control; and the Respondent’s licence to practice nursing shall be suspended for a period of twelve weeks upon approval of any application for reinstatement. The Respondent was ordered to pay a portion of the costs incurred in the amount of $2,500.00.
On July 12, 2017, an Adjudication Tribunal found Douglas Barton, Registration No. 20381, guilty of conduct deserving of sanction under the Registered Nurses Act, 2008, sections 18(c)(i) professional misconduct; and 18(c)(v) acting in breach of the Code of Ethics. The Adjudication Tribunal accepted a Joint Submission on Penalty put forth by the Respondent and the ARNNL.
Decision Summary
In the matter of a Complaint against Douglas Barton, Association of Registered Nurses of Newfoundland and Labrador, Registrant #20381 (the “Respondent”) an Adjudication Tribunal hearing the Complaint accepted an Agreed Statement of Facts in which the Respondent admitted he had engaged in conduct deserving of sanction under the Registered Nurses Act, 2008 (the “Act”) sections 18(c)(i) professional misconduct, and 18(c)(v) acting in breach of the Code of Ethics. The Adjudication Tribunal determined that the Respondent engaged in conduct deserving of sanction, in that, in an interaction with a patient, forcibly grabbed the patient’s arms, raised his voice and spoke in an angry tone to the patient and pushed the patient.
The Adjudication Tribunal accepted a Joint Submission on Penalty and pursuant to section 28(3) of the Act in a Decision dated August 8, 2017 (the “Decision”), ordered that the Respondent’s license be suspended for three months to be served contemporaneous with the Respondent’s suspension from his employer; to successfully complete specified nursing education; a course or counselling in anger management; and meet with a Nursing Consultant – Policy and Practice, ARNNL to reflect on his learnings. The Adjudication Tribunal further ordered that the Respondent pay ARNNL 25% of costs incurred in the investigation and hearing of the Complaint.
The conduct deserving of sanction occurred during the period on or about September 12, 2015, while the Respondent practiced as a registered nurse at the Waterford Hospital, St. John’s. The Complainant was Eastern Health.