By FRANCESCA MOLDhealth reporter
Gynaecologist Graham Parry is to appeal against a decision which strikes him off the medical register and imposes the largest ever fine for disgraceful conduct.
The Medical Practitioners' Disciplinary Tribunal yesterday fined Dr Parry $15,000 after deciding that his treatment of former patient Colleen Poutsma, who is dying
of cancer, was grossly negligent.
The fine was just $5000 less than the maximum allowed. The tribunal also directed Dr Parry to pay $56,280 in costs, and censured him.
Dr Parry's lawyer, Harry Waalkens, said last night that his client was extremely disappointed with the penalty imposed and would appeal.
Mr Waalkens said that in other cases, where doctors had had sex with patients and there were other aggravating features, the fines and other penalties had been less than those imposed on Dr Parry.
"That is an indication of the absurdity of this decision."
Jack Poutsma, Mrs Poutsma's husband, described the penalty as an "appropriate conclusion."
He thought that in time Dr Parry would be able to return as a valuable practitioner and specialist but in the meantime he needed a "cooling-off period."
In the end the medical disciplinary system had been shown to have worked, Mr Poutsma said.
Yesterday's decision criticised Dr Parry for making the most basic of mistakes by failing to examine Mrs Poutsma's cervix when she was referred to him with abnormal bleeding in August 1997.
It also said Dr Parry had tried to justify his clinical decisions, had misled two doctors about his care of Mrs Poutsma and had demonstrated a lack of insight about the nature of his deficiencies.
It said Dr Parry had shown a tendency to mislead or provide less than full and frank disclosure.
The tribunal also expressed concern that Northland Health, Dr Parry's former employer, had lobbied for him to be allowed to return to work as the hospital was finding it difficult to replace him.
The tribunal said acknowledged that Dr Parry's being struck off would cause inconvenience and hardship for women who had to travel or wait longer for care.
But it drew attention to a review which had found that Dr Parry's competence was deficient and highlighted serious concerns for public safety.
Northland Health has consistently supported Dr Parry, describing him as a dedicated professional.
Yesterday, Northland Health said it was trying to recruit a replacement for him and was confident patient safety would not be compromised.
It would not make any further comment on the disciplinary tribunal's decision.
News of the punishment came as Mr Waalkens was in the Auckland District Court trying to stop an exemplary damages claim for $60,000 proceeding against Dr Parry.
Judge Roderick Joyce, QC reserved his decision after hearing submissions from Mr Waalkens and Antonia Fisher, a lawyer representing Mrs Poutsma.
By FRANCESCA MOLDhealth reporter
Gynaecologist Graham Parry is to appeal against a decision which strikes him off the medical register and imposes the largest ever fine for disgraceful conduct.
The Medical Practitioners' Disciplinary Tribunal yesterday fined Dr Parry $15,000 after deciding that his treatment of former patient Colleen Poutsma, who is dying
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