Doctors both to blame for fight

One doctor suffered a fractured jaw and another a broken ankle and bites during a brawl at their surgery.

Contradictory versions of the brawl in February 2003 are set out in a decision released yesterday by the Medical Practitioners Disciplinary Tribunal.

The tribunal heard a charge against one of the doctors, referred to as Dr J, that he verbally and physically abused colleague Dr X, amounting to conduct unbecoming a medical practitioner.

The decision does not give the location of the practice at which they, and three other doctors, were directors. The tribunal found the charge not proved and that responsibility for the incident should be shared.

Both doctors immigrated to New Zealand after obtaining medical degrees in their country of birth, the tribunal decision says.

The punch-up left Dr X with facial abrasions, a black eye, cuts to his mouth, a fracture of his lower jaw bone and dislodged teeth. He had to have extensive dental treatment.

Dr J had a broken ankle and bites to his right forearm and beneath his left armpit.

Dr X and witnesses called to support his claims said Dr J became autocratic, dictatorial and totally unreasonable when he assumed responsibility for managing the business while a co-founder was on leave.

Dr X's evidence was that on February 5, 2003, Dr J asked him to go to his office to discuss something important.

After being aggressive and abusive, Dr J leaped from his chair swearing in the language of their country and punched Dr X on the left side of his face and mouth.

"Dr X said that a struggle then ensued and that in order to defend himself Dr X bit Dr J on the right forearm and on his upper left chest.

"Dr X said that he then pushed Dr J away and that as he did so Dr J tripped on a rug and fell backwards on to the floor."

Dr J's explanation of the incident "completely contradicted" Dr X's account, the tribunal said.

He blamed Dr X, saying he shouted "shut up your mouth", smacked him in the face, and grabbed his tie, starting to choke him.

Dr J said Dr X "opened his mouth wide ... and bit [him] viciously on [his] right forearm".

Dr X had reported the assault to police, but they had decided not to charge anyone.

- NZPA