Two days ago, Dr. Alex Nataros was suspended from working for Island Health emergency departments in order for Island Health to launch an investigation. Dr. Ben Williams of Island Health Authority reported that on January 30th, a complaint was made about Dr. Nataros regarding patient safety. The complaint was made to an Island Health Authority senior medical leader. The caveat here is that investigations into conduct of medical doctors usually goes through their governing college. As of February 11, 2023, there are no public notifications nor practice conditions on his medical license, according to the College of Physicians and Surgeons of British Columbia. Odd that it took more than a week to suspend his privileges if the concern was drastic enough to warrant a suspension. Also incredibly scary that the only emergency room physician was suspended without a backup doctor on standby.

"...there is a serious concern for patient safety and have restricted Dr. Nataros from working in Island Health emergency departments while a fulsome investigation takes place" - Dr. Ben Williams

Dr. Alex Nataros is a medical doctor who graduated from McGill University in 2012 and is one of the only emergency room physicians currently working at the Port Hardy hospital. Port Hardy is a remote town located on the Northern end of Vancouver Island, BC, and is home to a large population of Indigenous people. The hospital in Port Hardy has seen a large amount of turnover for its medical professionals, which is in part due to the lack of appropriately delegated resources and lack of support from management. Days and weeks prior to his suspension, Dr. Alex Nataros called out senior medical staff at Island Health Authority for not providing adequate leadership, which is ultimately causing the high turnover rate for physicians. In fact, according to a leaked employee survey, 40% of healthcare workers of Island Health Authority are satisfied with their work in the region, which is the lowest satisfaction rate in the province and a whopping 14% decrease since 2021. Nataros' call-out was supported by long-time VIHA physician Dr. Prean Armogam who also noted a change in leadership within the authority. Leadership in general is an important piece of the healthcare system; we cannot have managers in the line of work as a managerial approach does not allow for the reflexivity that is required for healthcare to work smoothly. Leadership means working with staff, not powering over them. Aside from leadership, Nataros has also requested that BC incorporate Physician Assistance into the healthcare model. Like nurse practitioners, their scope is limited to that less of a physician, but provides more medical care than a registered nurse, registered psychiatric nurse, or a licensed practical nurse might provide. In January of 2023, Adrian Dix announced $30 million in funding to be allocated to the North Island, however, this allocated fund was not specified in regard to what its use was intended for and it continues to fail in addressing the root cause of issues afflicting Island Health, which is the system itself and how healthcare is delivered in remote communities. Ben Williams and his fellow senior medical leaders of Vancouver Island Health Authority remain steadfast in their conviction to uphold their idiopathic suspension of Dr. Alex Nataros. News sources used

Island Health, province, and Port Hardy, B.C. doctor seemingly at odds regarding health-service issues