As per ACSLPA Policy, the following was published on October 18th, 2024 and will remain on the website for a period of five (5) years after the regulated member completes all outstanding requirements arising from the Hearing Decision.
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ALBERTA COLLEGE OF SPEECH-LANGUAGE PATHOLOGISTS AND AUDIOLOGISTS
IN THE MATTER OF THE HEALTH PROFESSIONS ACT
AND IN THE MATTER OF A HEARING REGARDING THE CONDUCT OF
KRISTEN HEDLEY
Summary of the DECISION OF THE HEARING TRIBUNAL & SANCTIONS
Click here for the Full Decision of the Hearing Tribunal & Sanctions
ALLEGATIONS
A Notice of Hearing, dated February 2, 2024, was entered into the record and marked as Exhibit 1. The allegations set out in the Notice of Hearing were as follows:
IT IS ALLEGED THAT:
- From December 7, 2022 to November 21, 2023, Kristen Hedley failed or refused to respond to requests of or cooperate with the Complaints Director.
- From May 21, 2023 to June 19, 2023, Kristen Hedley failed or refused to comply with a request of or cooperate with an investigator.
and that the conduct described above constitutes unprofessional conduct as defined in s. 1(1)(p) of the HPA, and/or constitutes a contravention of Alberta College of Speech-Language Pathologists and Audiologists (“ACSLPA”) by-laws, Standards of Practice, and/or Code of Ethics.
FINDINGS
After hearing from the Complaints Director and Ms. Hedley and reviewing the evidence and admissions, the Hearing Tribunal finds, on a balance of probabilities, that the conduct alleged in the Notice of Hearing occurred as alleged.
The Hearing Tribunal accepts Ms. Hedley’s Admission of Unprofessional Conduct and agrees that the proven conduct constitutes unprofessional conduct under sections 1(1)(pp)(vii)(b) and 1(1)(pp)(xii) of the HPA.
CONCLUSION
For the reasons set out…[in the Decision of the Hearing Tribunal Regarding Sanctions], the Hearing Tribunal makes the following orders on sanction under section 82 of the Health Professions Act:
a) If Ms. Hedley is reinstated onto the College’s register as a speech-language pathologist, she must immediately serve a two-week suspension and there will be a condition on her practice permit until the suspension is served.
b) If Ms. Hedley is reinstated on the College’s register as a speech-language pathologist, she will receive a reprimand and the Hearing Tribunal’s Merits Decision dated May 9, 2024 shall serve as that reprimand.
c) Ms. Hedley shall pay a fine of $750 for each of Allegation 1 and 2, for a total fine of $1500, to be paid within 90 days of the date the Hearing Tribunal’s Sanctions Decision is served on her.
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