Doctor denies fraud allegations

A former Whanganui District Health Board doctor has denied using forged documents and will - for now - keep his name secret. The man appeared in the Wellington District Court yesterday, where he pleaded not guilty to using a forged document, a certificate of good standing, 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.

His lawyer Tony Shaw said the man elected to have a trial before a judge alone.

At Mr Shaw's request, Judge Ian Mill ordered the man's name suppression to continue until the trial.

Judge Mill said medical evidence before the court was enough to persuade him to continue the suppression order.

The man was arrested at Wellington Airport last year.

At the time, Whanganui DHB chief executive Julie Patterson said she "believed no patient has been negatively affected by this doctor".

"While employed by the WDHB, the doctor was under appropriate supervision, he was stood down immediately, concerns were identified."

A trial date is yet to be set. The man is due back in court in March.