'Prayer' doctor to challenge ban

Banned Hamilton doctor Richard Gorringe is appealing against being struck off the medical register for misdiagnosing and causing unnecessary suffering to patients.

Mr Gorringe was ordered to pay more than $100,000 in costs after the Medical Practitioners Disciplinary Tribunal found him guilty of disgraceful conduct and professional misconduct for his treatment of two women in 1998.

The tribunal found Mr Gorringe's use of prayer was inappropriate and his alternative diagnostic technique was unproven and unreliable.

The appeal is against both the finding and penalty.

Dr Gorringe faces a second tribunal hearing next month over a new and unrelated charge of misconduct.