This work is our calling. We’re continuously striving to know, be, and succeed more.
We cut to the chase and get things done. Our advice is straightforward, realistic and pragmatic.
This work is not for the faint of heart. We’re confident, unapologetically tough and bold.
With so much at stake, our clients depend on us to know both our business and theirs inside and out—and, we do.
We’re experts in health and administrative law, and focus exclusively on serving health professionals, health organizations, and national and provincial health professional associations find solutions to their legal problems. In short, we not only understand the legal framework that regulates the health sector, but are also familiar with the day-to-day realities that you face.
Our health lawyers are highly skilled advocates who have successfully appeared before various administrative tribunals, such as College discipline committees, boards of public hospitals, the Consent and Capacity Board (CCB), and the Health Professions Appeal and Review Board (HPARB). Our founder Valerie Wise has been defending health professionals for over 25 years.
Our clients know they are in good hands. As a small, boutique firm, we focus on building individualized relationships with our clients. We take immense pride in this client-focused approach and in the strong connections we build with each person and organization we assist.
We advocate to protect the reputations of healthcare organizations and professionals.
Undoubtedly, COVID-19 has affected how health professionals practice. Pharmacists across the country are not only experiencing changes in how they practice (for example, accepting emailed prescriptions, where appropriate) but the scope of their practice as well. The latter change is not permanent, although the disruptions in practice may be felt long after the COVID-19 emergency subsides.
On March 19, 2020, Health Canada issued a short-term section 56(1) exemption under the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act (CDSA) that would authorize pharmacists to prescribe, sell, or provide controlled substances in limited circumstances, or transfer prescriptions for controlled substances (the CDSA Exemption).
The past several weeks have been a challenging time for everyone. Health professionals have been bombarded with Emergency Orders and other pronouncements that can be confusing and at times seem contradictory.
With the rules and restrictions changing so rapidly, it is advisable to keep an eye on the website, social media feeds, and other communications from your respective regulatory College for your College’s interpretation and position on what you should and should not be doing during the pandemic. While the Emergency Orders and pronouncements apply to a broad spectrum of health professionals, individual Colleges can provide guidance and interpretation about how those orders and pronouncements relate to your specific profession.
But what if you’re still unsure about whether you can provide a particular service to a specific patient/client; or some other aspect of your professional obligations at this uncertain time?
Earlier this year, Wise Health Law succeeded on a motion for summary judgment in a dental malpractice case on the basis that the limitation period had expired before the Statement of Claim was issued. The (unreported) decision was delivered orally on the day of the motion.
In part, the plaintiff argued that she did not discover her claim until the Royal College of Dental Surgeons of Ontario (the “RCDSO” or “College”) rendered its decision, as she did not know if the defendant was negligent when she complained to the RCDSO, but merely had a “suspicion”.
