Doctor struck off, ordered to pay $104,000 in costs

By ELIZABETH BINNING and NZPA

Disgraced Hamilton doctor Richard Gorringe has been struck off the Medical Practitioners Register and ordered to pay more than $100,000 in costs.

The ruling by the Medical Practitioners Disciplinary Tribunal follows an earlier decision which found Gorringe guilty of disgraceful conduct.

The tribunal found he caused two Waikato women, Ravaani Ghaemmaghamy and Yvonne Short, unnecessary suffering in his treatment of them in 1998.

Gorringe, who used a combination of conventional and traditional methods to treat patients, has previously said that if struck off he would continue practising as a naturopath.

The tribunal said the decision to strike Gorringe from the register was unanimous. It censured him and ordered him to pay costs of $104,096.

It said his treatment and management of Mrs Short were "grossly irresponsible and unconscionable".

It was particularly concerned that Gorringe had said publicly that he did not believe he had done anything wrong.

"Dr Gorringe's belief in the accuracy of his diagnoses and in the efficacy of his unusual treatments is such that the tribunal can have no confidence that, were he to continue in practice, his patients would be properly advised of their nature and limitations so as to permit informed choice."

The tribunal said nothing but removal from the register could sufficiently protect the public.

Gorringe is also being assessed by the Health and Disability Commissioner in relation to a complaint.

Mrs Short said she was pleased with the original decision but concerned the penalty still allowed Gorringe to practise alternative medicine.

She hoped striking him from the medical register would serve as a warning to future patients.





Ms Ghaemmaghamy said she was worried for the health of people who would continue to seek Gorringe's help.



"I have grave concerns for their wellbeing under his care."

In submissions about possible penalties, lawyer Alan Knowsley said Gorringe had suffered emotionally and financially from the hearing last year.

He had suffered physical side-effects, causing a reduction in the hours he worked and a drop in his weekly income.

Gorringe had been forced to sell his home and live in rented accommodation, and no longer had the savings or assets to pay fines or costs.

The tribunal said it was surprised by this as Gorringe claimed to have 12,000 patients, a waiting list of up to three months and charged an hourly rate of $250.

"In those circumstances, the tribunal finds it surprising that a man of his years should have no assets and no savings and be in the position his counsel submits."