Patient disappointed at reinstatement of doctor by Windsor, Ont., hospital

WINDSOR, Ont. - A patient of a doctor at the centre of a mistaken mastectomy case says she's disappointed the surgeon had her privileges reinstated by a Windsor, Ont., hospital.

Janice Laporte, who now lives in Sarnia, Ont., had a breast removed only to learn later that she didn't have breast cancer.

She is one of two women whose cases have prompted several investigations, including one by the provincial government.

Laporte wanted a provincial investigation to be completed before Dr. Barbara Heartwell was allowed to perform surgery again at Hotel-Dieu Grace Hospital. But Laporte said she is happy a second doctor will review cases where Heartwell performs cancer surgery.

The hospital announced the conditions on Thursday when it said Heartwell could have her privileges reinstated.

Heartwell had voluntarily withdrawn from performing surgery at the hospital on Feb. 26 when a second case of a mistaken mastectomy came to light, but then changed her mind.

Laporte sued Heartwell over her 2001 surgery but she can't discuss the case because of a confidentiality clause.