The Codes are founded on evidence-based practice and specify the legal requirements, professional behaviour and conduct expectations for all nurses and midwives across Australia, in all practice settings. The Codes will replace the existing Code of Professional...
healthcare professionals
Registered Nurse’s Conduct in a Drug Dispensing Arrangement Results in Professional Misconduct
An experienced mental health nurse and psychotherapist was involved in the care of a patient over a 13-year period, where the Patient had a complex history of mental health issues and drug dependency. The practitioner provided regular one-on-one care under the NSW...
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...
Hospital’s breach was not causative of psychiatric patient’s attempted suicide
Daniel Smith, 25, reported depression, crying and insomnia to his GP on 15 April 2008. This was secondary to his break up with his ex-fiancée, pain from a motor vehicle accident in 2006, associated court proceedings, and his excessive consumption of alcohol. On 30...
Defaming a doctor online proves costly
In March 2010, Mr Mazzella underwent a hip arthroscopy, performed by orthopaedic surgeon, Dr Al Muderis. Subsequently, the patient claimed that the surgeon performed the operation negligently, causing numbness in his genitals and decreased sexual function. Dr Al...
Surgeon and anaesthetist negligent for failure to abandon operation
The patient, Mr Hobson, was born with Noonan Syndrome, a genetic disorder which manifested in a severe lordoscoliosis and idiosyncratic shape of his chest as a result of which he had developed difficulties breathing. Mr Hobson’s condition had deteriorated to the point...
Abuse of Process in Disciplinary Proceedings
SAT proceedings were commenced by the Medical Board of Australia (MBA) against the Practitioner in late 2014 following receipt of a notification from the patient's widow in 2012. The notification related to the performance of an angioplasty procedure for the patient...