The College of Physicians and Surgeons of New Brunswick suspended Dr. Manoj Bhargava, a University of New Brunswick Health Centre and Horizon Health psychiatrist, after receiving allegations of “improper contact” with patients.
Dr. Ed Schollenberg, the registrar at the College of Physicians and Surgeons of New Brunswick, said the decision to suspend Bhargava was made Tuesday morning after the college received five complaints about the psychiatrist, who has been practicing in New Brunswick for 14 years.
Shollenberg said a complaint about a physician can go through processes that involves investigation and possibly an eventual hearing.
“But if there’s an allegation that suggests this might be a risk to the public, then we can suspend them while that’s going on,” said Schollenberg. “And that’s what we did.”
Bhargava’s license was not revoked, but Schollenberg said in order to revoke a license, the physician would have to go through a hearing. Before that can happen, he said there has to be collected evidence, which hasn’t happened because the complaints only came on the weekend.
Schollenberg said some of the allegations surfaced on Instagram and other social media platforms.
The social media allegations began circulating late last week. On Friday, there was a protest at UNB against sexual violence.
When contacted about Bhargava’s suspension, UNB forwarded a statement sent to students from president Paul Mazerolle.
Mazerolle said UNB learned of the suspension of a doctor at the UNB Health Centre, but did not name him.
“The safety and well-being of our community is, and will always be, our top priority,” Mazerolle said in the statement.
“While we may not be able to provide details at this time, please know that our silence does not mean inaction, nor does it mean that we haven’t been listening.”
