Christchurch GP faces charges in sex-for-cash case

A woman says her doctor paid her for sex, supplied her with drugs without prescription, then bribed her not to co-operate with investigators looking into his conduct.

The Christchurch GP, whose name is suppressed, faces being struck off as a doctor if charges of professional misconduct or disgraceful conduct against him are proven at a Medical Practitioners Disciplinary Tribunal hearing this week.

On top of the allegations of sex, supplying drugs and hush money, the GP is also accused of giving the woman advice on how to prepare a lethal dose of medication to kill herself.

His patient, who also cannot be named, told the tribunal in Christchurch yesterday that the GP became her doctor in 1991, when she was 16.

After a period without contact, the pair met at a supermarket in 2002. The GP suggested they meet again at a cafe.

"I remember being excited that a doctor wanted to take me out for coffee," the woman said.

Soon, she was invited to visit the GP at his one-bedroom apartment and they began regularly having sex on his pull-out sofa bed while his children slept in the bedroom.

"It was obvious he didn't want me to stay over. He just got what he wanted from me," said the woman.

"Although I was feeling used and angry, I kept on seeing him because each time I went around to his place he would say nice things to me."

The GP bought her G-strings, demanded that she wear white trousers and made her use a different name for him when he called on her.

She said he gave her prescription-only tablets without a prescription, and he made her take them at his home.

One night she went out on the town drinking with him and was offered tranquillisers.

"I don't remember going home that night or how I go into my pyjamas. I thought [he] must have spiked my drink."

In 2003, people close to the woman, including her psychiatrist, made complaints to health sector watchdogs about the GP's conduct.

Initially the woman was angry, because she did not want to see him get in trouble.

The following year, the pair continued to have sex, but each time the GP paid the woman about $30 cash. She said she accepted the money because she needed it.

"He told me each time I had to keep quiet or he would not pay me."

The woman said the GP twice sat down with her to draft letters in her name denying he had done anything wrong.

He also paid her $200 not to go to an interview with investigators, she said.

In October 2004, the woman changed her mind and agreed to meet the Medical Council's Complaints Assessment Committee, even though she was still wary of how it would affect the GP and his family.

"At this stage I was thinking I didn't want anyone else to be treated the way I did."

The woman said she had ceased contact with the GP, but was still fearful he or his friends might seek retribution.

The tribunal hearing is expected to continue until Thursday.