Doctor faces fresh sex charge across Tasman

A doctor struck off for having a sexual relationship with a vulnerable patient has moved to Australia - where he now faces a similar charge.

Adam Jeremy Nuttall was found guilty of professional misconduct by New Zealand's Health Practitioners Disciplinary Tribunal and ordered to pay $10,000 in costs.

He faces a similar charge laid by the Medical Registration Board of Western Australia, where he has been working as a general practitioner.

He has denied the allegation, saying that the woman was not a patient at the time they had a sexual relationship.

The board has not issued its decision but the New Zealand tribunal published its findings on Friday.

In that case, the complainant went to Dr Nuttall, who was based in a South Island town, the name of which is suppressed, seeking counselling for marital and other problems. He began a sexual relationship with her about June 1994 but continued to treat the woman till at least November 2001.

Dr Nuttall had tried to end the relationship several times but he and the woman had developed deep feelings for each other and any periods of "cooling off" were short-lived, the tribunal said.

Dr Nuttall left New Zealand in 2001. The woman went overseas to live with him but returned in late 2003. She made a complaint in May last year - after discovering he was involved with another woman.

Dr Nuttall pleaded guilty to four charges at a tribunal hearing in Wellington in March.

Royal New Zealand College of GPs president Jim Vause said the length and nature of the relationship made it an unusual, clearcut and "fairly shocking" case of professional misconduct.

Tribunal chairman David Collins, QC, said the complainant was extremely vulnerable at the time she sought help from Dr Nuttall.

He lacked the experience and skills to provide counselling, and his records of sessions with the woman between 1991 and late 1994 were inadequate.

He also prescribed medication for her while they were having a relationship.

The tribunal ordered that Dr Nuttall must be assessed by the Medical Council before he can be registered again in New Zealand.

Last year, three doctors were found guilty of professional misconduct.