New Brunswick regulator reviewed Quebec decision before allowing Sanjeev Sirpal to practise medicine

The College of Physicians and Surgeons of New Brunswick says it thoroughly reviewed a 2022 Quebec regulator’s decision to revoke the privileges of a family doctor who was found to have fraudulently obtained his medical license in Quebec.

But the New Brunswick college says it found no reason to take similar measures and allowed Sanjeev Sirpal to continue practising and subsequently work in Nova Scotia through the Atlantic Registry, an interprovincial licensing program. Dr. Sirpal is now alleged to have sexually assaulted patients in both provinces.

As Canada considers introducing greater mobility for physicians between provinces, the situation in the Maritimes highlights the need for a national physician database with information about disciplined doctors, according to Laurentian University professor Elizabeth Wenghofer.