B.C. nurse suspended amid drug diversion investigation

The B.C. College of Nurses and Midwives has suspended a member’s licence amid an ongoing investigation into the handling of narcotics at several hospitals.

A summary protection order was issued against registered nurse Mark Wade on June 23 as an “interim risk mitigation measure made to protect the public,” the college said in a public notice.

The BCCNM noted none of the “concerns” that prompted the investigation have been proven.

The college said it received four complaints—from staff at Burnaby Hospital, Abbotsford Regional Hospital, Dawson Creek and District Hospital, and Dr. Helmcken Memorial Hospital—between Feb. 17 and April 18 of this year.

“All the complaints raised concerns over narcotic handling, administration, documentation, and possible diversion,” according to the BCCNM’s public notice.

The college said its investigation committee decided to issue the protection order due to concerns Wade “may have been working while not fit to practice.”