New BrunswickA Fredericton psychiatrist accused by 20 patients of inappropriate touching and comments has permanently lost his ability to practise in New Brunswick after he chose not to contest allegations of professional misconduct.Dr. Manoj Bhargava was accused of inappropriate comments and touchingFredericton psychiatrist Manoj Bhargava treated all of the complainants ‘in a manner which would reasonably be regarded by members as disgraceful, dishonourable, or unprofessional,’ according to an uncontested statement of facts. (Facebook)A Fredericton psychiatrist accused by 20 patients of inappropriate touching and comments has permanently lost his ability to practise in New Brunswick after he chose not to contest allegations of professional misconduct at a disciplinary hearing and was deemed guilty.All of Dr. Manoj Bhargava’s New Brunswick medical licences have been revoked, and his name has been removed from all registers, effective Oct. 1, a decision by the College of Physicians and Surgeons of New Brunswick shows.In addition, he must never seek another licence in the province and must pay $5,000 to cover the legal fees of the regulatory body.Bhargava, who used to work at Fredericton Addiction and Mental Health, which is part of Horizon Health, and the University of New Brunswick’s student health centre, could not immediately be reached for comment through his lawyer.He’s been suspended by the college since November 2020, when several patients filed complaints saying he touched their breasts while taking their heart rate or measuring their blood pressure.A total of 20 complainants have since come forward, college lawyer Joël Michaud told the disciplinary hearing in July. Their identities are protected by a publication ban.Heart, blood pressure checks inconsistent with standardsDuring the virtual hearing, Bhargava pleaded no contest to a joint statement that he committed professional misconduct by taking heart rate and blood pressure measurements “in a manner inconsistent with the standard of practice of the profession.”A no-contest plea means an accused does not admit guilt, but accepts punishment.Bhargava also made comments, asked questions and made requests that were inconsistent with the standards, according to the statement of uncontested facts. He treated all complainants “in a manner which would reasonably be regarded by members as disgraceful, dishonourable, or unprofessional,” the document said.Bhargava worked part-time at the University of New Brunswick’s student health centre in Fredericton from 2011 to 2020. (CBC News)None of the allegations were tested in court.Given Bhargava’s plea of no contest, however, the three-member board of inquiry found that, “on a balance of probabilities, it is more likely than not that he engaged in the misconduct as alleged” in the statement of facts, according to a decision dated Aug. 18.Council adopts joint submission on sanctionsThe board accepted a joint submission on proposed sanctions as “reasonable and consistent with the public interest” and “appropriate given Dr. Bhargava’s conduct.”It unanimously recommended the college’s council order the sanctions, which the council has done.A class-action lawsuit against Bhargava and the university was discontinued in April 2023, but Bhargava is facing at least four lawsuits by individuals. The allegations include medical negligence and sexual assault.A draft of one of the lawsuits provided to CBC News by lawyer Basia Sowinski states, “The plaintiff alleges the defendant Bhargava requested she wear loose clothing, or remove articles of clothing, so that her heart rate and/or blood pressure could be obtained.”The lawsuits also list UNB as a defendant for alleged negligence and vicarious liability.Under the Medical Act, no records from the college matter can be used as evidence in any legal proceedings.
Former UNB psychiatrist loses licence after pleading no contest to misconduct allegations
