Police have charged a 28-year-old veteran of North York General Hospital with sexually assaulting three women under his care.
Detectives say on three separate occasions, 61-year-old anesthesiologist George Doodnaught assaulted the women while they were under anesthetic and in surgery.
“We are devastated that anything like this could possibly happen to any of our patients. This is an extremely unusual situation," Dr. David White, Chief of Staff at North York General Hospital said at a media briefing Thursday afternoon.
“I’m confident these charges are specific to one physician and the hospital is a safe environment for our patients.”
Doodnaught was in court on Wednesday and is scheduled to appear again on April 1. He is no longer working at North York General.
Police began their investigation last month although one incident dates back to August 2007. They believe there may be other victims.
Doodnaught has been an anesthesiologist since 1981 and has worked at a number of GTA facilities including North York General. The hospital has set up a hotline for patient inquiries: 416-756-6271.
Anyone with information is asked to call police at 416-808-4040, Crime Stoppers anonymously at 416-222-TIPS (8477), online at www.222tips.com, or text TOR and your message to CRIMES (274637).