The hospital did not notify the coroner or police nor did it go to the provincial medical board, even though the Nova Scotia Medical Act stipulates that any suspension of privileges exceeding 2 weeks must be reported. In an Apr. 17 memo CCU head Dr. Richard Hall, who had sought legal advice on the obligation to report Mills' death to the coroner, asked unit staff to keep quiet about details surrounding her departure, but he was too late. QE II respirologist Arthur Macneil, citing a heavy conscience, had already gone to the police. When nearly 40 police officers descended on the QE II May 6, they conducted 19 searches at the hospital, which encompasses several buildings, and took copies of computer records and patient files. About 5 of those officers arrested and guarded Morrison, who was in her office going over laboratory results and preparing for rounds.
Physicians see the police action as an intrusion into the realm of medical practice.
You can debate whether it should have gone to the next level or whether there should have been a harsher punishment, but the process did work . . . Dr. John Ruedy, dean of medicine at Dalhousie University and a member of the QE II's Board of Directors, learned of Morrison's predicament only a few hours before the arrest. Due processes were carried out in the institution to a certain point, and the Nova Scotia statute being what it is notifying the coroner wasn't a requirement. I don't think it was an excuse. He adds that many doctors believe Macneil should have reported Morrison to the medical board and that police should have been more discreet.