Psych Observer – Exposing Bad Psychiatry

Doctor broke rules after being allowed to return from suspension for sexual misconduct
Vancouver Sun
Friday, April 04, 2008

A Vancouver psychiatrist who was in 1998 found guilty of infamous conduct for engaging in sexual relations with a female patient has once again been disciplined by the B.C. College of Physicians and Surgeons.

Dr. James Christopher Anscombe Morrant “acknowledged that he breached various terms and conditions of his temporary registration which were imposed in January, 2006 following his return to practice after disciplinary action,” the college said Friday in a press release.

“Specifically he breached conditions that required that he limit his practice of psychotherapy to short term interventional pscyhotherapy focusing on consultation, assessment and pharmacotherapy to a maximum of 12 sessions per patient, that he see patients only when other clinic staff are present in the clinic, and that he not initate contact with former patients out of the office.”

For the breach, the college issued a “formal reprimand,” fined Morrant $10,000 and ordered him to participate in a treatment program including further assessments, counselling and monitoring, the release said.

“The future professional conduct of Dr. Morrant must be beyond reproach in every respect,” the release said.
Morrant was found guilty in 1998 of infamous conduct for engaging in a sexual relationship, including sexual intercourse, with a female patient.

Morrant was suspended from practice for 18 months, ordered to pay costs and undergo various assessments before being allowed to return to practice.

Morrant fought the conviction and the case spent five years moving up to the Supreme Court of Canada which upheld the college’s findings.