Doctor struck off for relationships with patients…

The Health Practitioners Disciplinary Tribunal has found a doctor guilty of professional misconduct and struck him off after it came to light that he had sexual relations with four patients over a number of years.

The patients were all vulnerable in that they were suffering from mental illness.

In addition the doctor continued to treat and prescribe for each of the four patients during their relationships which was a clear breach of professional standards.

The doctor’s registration was cancelled and conditions were imposed should he ever wish to return to the medical profession.  Those conditions include him undergoing a sexual misconduct assessment test, having a chaperone and complying with Medical Council directions as to his practice, requiring oversight of any prescribing and that he has to advise any potential employer of the decision of the Tribunal for three years.

The doctor admitted the charges and agreed that they amounted to professional misconduct.




Alan Knowsley
Medical Lawyer
Wellington