Former doctor denies faking documentation

The former Whanganui doctor who was arrested at Wellington Airport last year is accused of faking documentation that allows foreign doctors to practise in another country.

The 35-year-old appeared last week in the Wellington District Court. He pleaded not guilty to using a forged document as if it were genuine in June last year in Whanganui. He also denied using a document for monetary advantage and making a false statement or declaration.

The allegedly forged document, a certificate of good standing, is "basically a certificate that the doctor seeks when he's seeking employment in any country", Detective Constable Neville Mullaney said.

The certificate included information on places the person had worked previously, he said.

According to the Medical Council of New Zealand, a certificate of good standing confirms a doctor's registration and notes whether or not there have been any complaints, investigations, or disciplinary action in the time of the doctor's registration.

On May 12, the accused is alleged to have made an application for medical registration to the Medical Council, an act "which would amount to perjury if made on oath in a judicial proceeding".

He is then alleged to have used a "fraudulently obtained" certificate of good standing to obtain a pecuniary advantage between May 25 and October 8, then to have used a forged certificate of good standing as if it were genuine on June 2, according to court documents.

The latter charge carries a maximum sentence of 10 years in prison.

The man has elected a judge-alone trial and has name suppression. A trial date has not yet been set.