Pubdate: Thu, 14 Feb 2013
Source: Intelligencer, The (CN ON)
Copyright: 2013, Osprey Media Group Inc.
Contact: http://www.intelligencer.ca/feedback1/LetterToEditor.aspx
Website: http://www.intelligencer.ca/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/2332
Author: Jason Miller

COE HILL POT DOC FACES MORE CHARGES

An embattled Coe Hill family practitioner is facing additional
allegations of "disgraceful" conduct from Ontario's physician watchdog.

The College of Physicians and Surgeons of Ontario is pursuing further
disciplinary action against Dr. Rob Kamermans, who is already facing
Canada-wide medical marijuana-related fraud charges.

Kamermans is currently set to face disciplinary proceedings later this
month for a host of allegations, levied last fall, including claims of
professional misconduct and incompetence linked to his Coe Hill-area
general practice.

The controversial doctor will now have to answer to a plethora of
further charges which the college officials say stem from Kamermans
involvement with medical marijuana and is separate from the clampdown
on activities at his Coe Hill practice.

Additional disciplinary proceedings launched by the college last month
claim Kamermans "is incompetent and/or failed to maintain the standard
of practice of the profession in his care of patients pertaining to
the endorsement of medical marijuana declaration forms," wrote college
spokesperson Kathryn Clarke in an e-mail.

"It is also alleged that he falsified a record relating to his
practice, and he signed or issued, in his professional capacity,
documents that he knew, or ought to have known, were false or
misleading," she said.

It is further alleged Kamermans "permitted, counselled or assisted
persons who are not members of the College to perform acts which
should be performed by a member," she said.

No hearing date has been set by the college for the second round of
violation hearings. The latest infractions were confirmed by a notice
of hearing received from the college Tuesday. Kamermans is also facing
a raft of criminal offences separate to the pressures coming from the
college.

Kamermans, along with is wife, Mary Kamermans, a registered nurse, is
also addressing fraud offences in a Belleville court. The Kamermans
are currently on bail with strict conditions.
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