Health Minister Annette King believes a disciplinary hearing against Whangarei specialist Graham Parry should be heard in public rather than in private but she cannot interfere, a spokesman says.
The Medical Practitioners Disciplinary Tribunal yesterday began a private hearing of three new disciplinary charges against Mr Parry in Whangarei.
The charges of professional misconduct relate to three women and follow 48 complaints laid against the obstetrician/gynaecologist by former patients. The tribunal has granted Mr Parry's application for a private hearing. A spokesman for Mrs King said the tribunal was entitled to do that.
"Her natural inclination is to want all such things to be heard in public but they are entitled to hold hearings in private and she can't interfere with the way they conduct their business," he said.
He did not believe Mrs King had been contacted by any of Mr Parry's former patients concerned about the hearing being in private. The tribunal had heard 67 cases in public and eight in private since 1995, the spokesman said.
The High Court at Auckland on Monday cleared the way for Mr Parry to resume partial practice after rejecting an appeal by the Health and Disability Commissioner against a district court order allowing him to resume a limited practice.
Mr Parry's lawyer, Harry Waalkens, said the surgeon was pleased and relieved at the High Court decision.
- NZPA
Minister says she cannot interfere in Parry hearing
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