The conviction of Christchurch doctor Morgan Fahey is a wake-up call for the medical profession, says the former chairwoman of the Medical Council.
Robin Briant said several of Fahey's female patients - who had been sexually violated, raped or indecently assaulted - had complained to other doctors but not one of the doctors took any action.
Professor Briant questioned why these doctors had taken part in a "non-deliberate conspiracy of silence."
She told a medical law conference in Wellington yesterday that there had been a tendency for the doctors not to believe the patients.
Fahey, who had carried out pre-employment checks for Ansett, was jailed for six years in June after admitting rape, sexual violation and 11 indecent assault charges dating back 30 years.
Professor Briant said the Medical Council's policy put responsibility on doctors to offer victims, who disclosed abuse by doctors, help in making a complaint.
She questioned how Fahey, who she classed as a sexually deviant, perverted, predator who preyed on the vulnerable, had continued his sexual offending against numerous patients for so long.
She suggested it might have been because he was a well-respected, powerful man and that his victims were mainly young and sexually naive.
- NZPA
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