A doctor providing an expert’s opinion at the disciplinary hearing of Dr. Roland Wong said Tuesday he supported the Toronto physician’s controversial attempts to improve the health of his low-income patients.

Dr. Wong — who has been dubbed a ‘modern Robin Hood’ for helping patients on social assistance access additional money for food — is under investigation by the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Ontario.

The college’s lawyers allege Wong acted in a way that was “disgraceful, dishonourable or unprofessional” while operating a clinic that specialized in providing special diet allowances, which give patients on social assistance in Ontario additional money to buy healthy food.

Wong has filled out more special diet forms — worth up to $250 a month and written for ailments ranging from allergies to chronic constipation — than any other physician in the province.

Dr. Tomislav Svoboda, a specialist in family and community medicine with St. Michael’s Hospital, wrote in an expert’s review of the case discussed at a hearing Tuesday that Wong “should be commended,” in so far as he “assisted thousands of the poorest members of our community.”

“When I heard there was a physician doing this, I thought ‘Wow,’” Svoboda said.

Addressing accusations Wong failed to maintain the standard of practice of the profession, Svoboda wrote Wong’s assistance was consistent with established and accepted medical standards for specialized medical clinics.

Tuesday’s hearing also included expert testimony by Valerie Tarasuk, a professor of nutrition at the University of Toronto. Tarasuk has extensively researched food insecurity — the inability to obtain adequate food due to financial constraints.

She said in 2007-2008, 57 per cent of Ontario households that relied upon social housing experienced some form of food insecurity, compared to 7 per cent of households whose income was derived from salaries.

Her research has shown that social assistance does not provide sufficient income to meet nutritional needs, Tarasuk said — and that many families receiving social assistance do not have enough money for healthy foods like milk, fruits and vegetables.

“This started as a hearing about whether or not he made appropriate decisions as a physician,” Tarasuk said outside court. “But I think it’s very important to look at the context in which (Wong) made those decisions, and I think that’s what I did today.”

Wong told the Star he sees the link between poverty and poor health in his clinic everyday, and is outraged that he’s being punished for trying to solve his patients’ problems.

“I’m angry because I’m not able to serve my patients. I’m angry because I have to come to this college to listen to things which should be obvious to the College of Physicians and Surgeons: that it’s important that poverty be recognized.”

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