Tasmania lifts medical registration restrictions on former chief psychiatrist
In Australia, the Tasmanian Civil and Administrative Tribunal (TASCAT) has lifted previous restrictions on the medical registration of former state chief psychiatrist Aaron Groves. At the same time, he must complete at least six hours of training on prescribing medication and providing medical care to people close to him.
As ABC News Australia reports, the tribunal also reprimanded Groves and decided not to suspend him from practice for an additional period. Earlier, the doctor admitted professional misconduct over improperly prescribing Schedule 8 medications, including oxycodone, to his partner.
Tribunal decision
The Medical Board of Australia brought two allegations before TASCAT: concerning Groves’ improper relationship with a former patient and his improper prescribing of medication to her. In June, the tribunal dismissed the allegation concerning the relationship but upheld the professional misconduct related to prescribing medication.
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Initially, Groves explained the prescriptions by an emergency need before the couple’s overseas trip. He later admitted that he had improperly prescribed medication to the woman after she became his partner.
Case circumstances
Groves took up the post of Tasmania’s chief psychiatrist in November 2017. In March 2021, he met a woman identified in the tribunal’s decision as AA after she complained to then Health Minister Sarah Courtney about a doctor at the Royal Hobart Hospital.
Their last professional contact took place in July 2021, personal correspondence began in September, and they became a couple in December. The following year, Groves wrote her several prescriptions. They are now married. The tribunal took into account that, due to the previous restrictions, the doctor had been unable to find work, had completed additional training, had an otherwise clean professional record, and complied with the imposed conditions. The Medical Board must also reimburse him AUD 185,000 in legal defence costs relating to the dismissed relationship allegation.
