In Medical Board of Australia v GMZ, a practitioner was found to have self-administered schedule 4 drugs over a period of 6 years that had not been legitimately prescribed to him. The practitioner had also made false representations to obtain the drugs and forged...
disciplinary action
Overstepping Professional Boundaries leads to Professional Misconduct
The experienced GP was found guilty of professional misconduct for continuing to treat an elderly patient after he became aware that he was named as the dominant beneficiary in her will. The GP had commenced treating the patient in 1996. Over the course of time they...
Neurosurgeon suspended following colleague’s fatal drug overdose
In July 2012 the neurosurgeon became close friends with a neurosurgical registrar (Dr A). Between October 2012 and February 2013 the pair consumed the drug GHB whilst socialising outside work and on weekends. The pair developed a dependency on GHB and discussed trying...
Doctor suspended for forging signatures to patient consent forms
Over a period of 12 months, the practitioner caused 37 patient consent forms to be signed by a person other than that patient in respect of surgical operations, procedures or medical treatment. He then knowingly provided to the Alfred Health and/or to the Royal...
Doctor suspended over alternative therapy advice
The patient had been diagnosed with a hepatoblastoma (a malignant tumour of her liver) in early August 2009. Doctors at Princess Margaret Hospital recommended chemotherapy. The patient's parents wished her to be treated with natural therapies and were opposed to...
GP Suspended for Slapping a Child’s Face during Consulation
The child and his mother had attended for an appointment so that the GP might try to help the child swallow his ADHD medication. The GP attempted to teach the child how to swallow the medication over a period of about 50 minutes. The child refused and fidgeted in his...
Surgeon reprimanded and fined for permitting doctor not registered in Australia to perform operation
In a recent decision of the Professional Standards Committee Inquiry, a colorectal surgeon, Professor Morris, was found guilty of unsatisfactory professional conduct for knowingly enabling an overseas based doctor, Dr Sugarbaker, who was not registered under the...
What is the scope of cancellation of registration when a practitioner is registered in more than one health profession?
The HCCC sought deregistration of the practitioner as both a midwife and as a nurse. It argued that the findings concerning the practitioner's conduct as a midwife were equally applicable to her knowledge and skills in the practice of nursing. The Tribunal noted that...
Doctor’s obligations in relation to medical reports and certificates
Background facts On 2 March 2015, the practitioner was consulted for a medical assessment regarding his suitability to continue to hold, possess and/or use a firearms licence. At this attendance, the patient provided the practitioner with a letter from the Queensland...
Medical practitioner consuming alcohol while on call
It was alleged that the practitioner had attended a social function, had consumed an amount of alcohol and was affected, and then, whilst on call, attended on a pregnant patient in a hospital. It was also alleged that he conducted himself in an inappropriate manner...