NEW ZEALAND: GP Struck-Off For Taking Money From Elderly Patients

AUCKLAND (Radio New Zealnd), November 22, 2007: An Auckland General Practitioner (GP) who admitted taking $320,000 from an elderly couple has been struck-off the medical register. The Medical Practitioners Disciplinary Tribunal has found Ian MacDonald, 62, guilty on two charges of professional misconduct. It says he breached his position of trust by accepting money from his patients and failed to adequately manage their medical care. MacDonald did not attend the hearing and elected not to offer any evidence in his defence. The hearing was told he accepted one aspect of the charge, that he took $260,000 from the elderly couple - one of whom died last year. He also admitted accepting a further $60,000 for his partner to buy a car. MacDonald has been ordered to pay a $15,000 fine and has been censured. He will also have to pay 30% of the costs incurred by the inquiry. Copyright © 2007 Radio New Zealand