Cape Breton gynecologist found guilty of professional misconduct

In this file photo from 2021, Dr. Manivasan Moodley, a Cape Breton gynecologist, walks toward the hearing room at the offices of the Nova Scotia College of Physicians and Surgeons in Bedford. SALTWIRE PHOTO Photo by Staff /StaffArticle contentA Cape Breton gynecologist has been found guilty of professional misconduct by the province’s medical regulatory body.THIS CONTENT IS RESERVED FOR SUBSCRIBERS ONLY.Subscribe now to access this story and more:Unlimited access to the website and appExclusive access to premium content, newsletters and podcastsFull access to the e-Edition app, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment onEnjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalistsSupport local journalists and the next generation of journalistsSUBSCRIBE TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES.Subscribe or sign in to your account to continue your reading experience.Unlimited access to the website and appExclusive access to premium content, newsletters and podcastsFull access to the e-Edition app, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment onEnjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalistsSupport local journalists and the next generation of journalistsRegister to unlock more articles.Create an account or sign in to continue your reading experience.Access additional stories every monthShare your thoughts and join the conversation in our commenting communityGet email updates from your favourite authorsSign In or Create an AccountorArticle contentThe College of Physicians and Surgeons of Nova Scotia began investigating Dr. Manivasan Moodley, an obstetrician and gynecologist who works at the Cape Breton Regional Hospital, after three women complained about his conduct when they were his patients between 2017 and 2020.Article contentArticle contentArticle contentA hearing committee that met over the course of 15 days in 2024 and 2025 to hear evidence about the allegations released its decision earlier this month, ruling that Moodley committed professional misconduct with respect to certain allegations arising from two of the patient complaints.Article contentAll allegations arising from the third patient’s complaint were dismissed.Article contentThe identities of all three women are protected by a publication ban.Article contentSURGICAL PROCEDUREArticle contentIn regards to the first patent, the panel determined that Moodley had violated the college’s guidelines regarding informed consent by performing an episiotomy on one woman contrary to her expressed wishes and failed to inform her afterwards that he had performed the surgical incision.Article contentMoodley was also found guilty of manually removing the placenta without providing the woman with pain relief medication, thereby causing her unnecessary or otherwise avoidable pain and discomfort. According to the decision Moodley also provided inaccurate, incomplete or misleading information to the college’s investigation committee and documented the care provided to the patient either inaccurately, incompletely or otherwise contrary to accepted standards.Article contentArticle contentThe hearing committee dismissed the allegation that Moodley committed professional misconduct by demonstrating a deficiency in knowledge and judgment regarding the clinical indication for episiotomies and by demonstrating an attitude toward nursing staff that did not support a collaborative approach to patient care.Article contentTUBAL LIGATIONArticle contentWith respect to the second patient, the committee found that Moodley misled the woman on the probability of another physician performing a tubal ligation in similar circumstances and failing to respect her autonomy regarding decisions about her reproductive health by suggesting it was her future husband’s decision as to whether she should have a tubal ligation.Article contentThe panel also found that Moodley had interfered with the college’s investigative process by contacting a potential witness in an effort to gain information about the patient after her complaint was under investigation.Article contentThe allegation that Moodley committed professional misconduct by failing to inform the patient of both the risks and benefits of tubal ligation was dismissed.Article contentThe committee will resume the hearing on Jan. 16, 2026, to consider submissions from the college and Moodley before making a decision on possible sanctions.Article contentMoodley, who moved to Cape Breton from South Africa in 2017, had denied the allegations.Article contentHe was previously found guilty of professional misconduct in a hearing committee decision announced in May 2021.Article content-30-Article content