A legal tug-of-war between Windsor Regional Hospital and a prominent kidney specialist continues.
Dr Albert Kadri, who specialises in internal medicine and nephrology, is currently embroiled in a dispute with the hospital over privileges. The physician has not been allowed to practise medicine at Windsor Regional Hospital since the beginning of June.
Dr Kadri's suspension has been confirmed by an entry on his page with the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Ontario. It says he has been registered with the College since 1994. However, Kadri is still able to practise medicine through his private clinic.
The hospital had suspended his privileges after he filed a lawsuit against the hospital. The doctor claimed they took credit for a kidney treatment model that he designed.
According to the suit, filed in January of this year, Kadri claimed WRH presented the treatment model in 2011 to the Local Health Integration Network and passed it off as its own. Kadri also alleged the hospital began a nephrology practice to compete with his private clinic and was luring his patients away.
Dr Kadri had scheduled a press conference Saturday to provide an update on the situation. In response, Windsor Regional Hospital released a statement.
"Since June 1, 2018, and until at least November 2018, Dr Kadri’s privileges to practice at WRH have been suspended on an immediate and temporary basis as directed by the Medical Advisory Committee," it said in part.
That particular committee is made up of fellow physicians and professionals on the hospital staff.
WRH said Kadri had requested a hearing in the spring to address his suspension from the hospital. That is due to take place sometime in October.
In the meantime, the hospital reiterates that the suspension has no impact on Kadri's ability to see patients at his private clinic and that the hospital is adamant that quality renal care has not been affected.
"We have communicated with all patients and referring physicians, and our team continues to provide outstanding care in accordance with the Ontario Renal Network-endorsed models of care," read the statement.