Doctor queries brothel ethics

A Far North doctor's decision to turn his former clinic into a brothel could breach the Hippocratic oath, a medical professional says.

GP Neil Benson is planning his new brothel venture at Coopers Beach where he closed his clinic last April.

Whangarei GP David Atkinson questions whether Dr Benson is breaching the oath, which is taken by physicians to observe medical ethics and "abstain from every voluntary act of mischief and corruption".

"What is legal is not always of the highest propriety in principle when you're caring for people who are suffering from all types of abuse in life, especially sexual abuse."

He said many prostitutes had been victims of sexual abuse and their "suffering could be exploited".

Dr Benson disagreed.

"Alcohol creates social issues but does that mean a doctor can't own shares in a brewery or a tavern? Of course not," he said. "I don't think running a brothel the way I propose to is something not to be proud of."

His decision has the backing of the Prostitutes Collective national co-ordinator Catherine Healy.

"Somebody who has had experience in what we would perceive as a compassionate environment is a good thing," she said.

"It's a good sign sex workers are not being considered pariahs not worthy of having places to work from that are safe."

- NORTHERN ADVOCATE