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Alberta paramedic regulator fires all members of its licensing committee

The move comes after the committee refused to renew the license to practice of a paramedic who disclosed he had PTSD

EDMONTON, Alberta — The regulating authority for Alberta paramedics has voted to fire the eight members of its registration committee after a months-long controversy over renewing the license to practice of paramedics who disclose mental health issues.

The members of the committee have until January 22 to submit a resignation or be terminated, reported the CBC.

The controversy began when paramedic Dave McAllister disclosed that he had sought treatment for post-traumatic stress disorder. McAllister was cleared by a doctor to return to work, but it took nine months of appeals for his license to be renewed.

After the renewal the registration committee asked the Alberta College of Paramedics to investigate. Next the registration committee hired a law firm and wrote directly to the Alberta deputy health minister.

“We write to request that you take action under the Health Disciplines Act to determine whether the Council of the Alberta College of Paramedics and the College Registrar are performing their duties in a proper manner,” wrote Dana Terry, registration committee chair.

Additional complaints, counter complaints, legal posturing and government mediation were unable to resolve the situation which culminated in the majority vote by the Alberta College of Paramedics.

“On January 22, 2016, all members of the Registration Committee ... will be terminated from their positions on the committee,” reads the motion included in a “request for decision” document distributed to the college’s elected council members this week.

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