Doctor's sex case in employment tribunal's court

The Supreme Court has said it is up to a disciplinary tribunal to decide if medical records are released in the case of a male doctor charged with disgraceful conduct.

The doctor allegedly had sex with a 16-year-old female patient and babysitter in 1985, and she laid a complaint in 2001.

The case is to be heard by the Medical Practitioners' Disciplinary Tribunal. The chairman of the tribunal ordered the woman's records to disclosed to it in 2003.

The complainant alleged that the doctor gave her wine, cannabis, laughing gas and cocaine, and that they had consensual sex twice at the man's home.

Over the following five years the woman was treated for depression with counselling and anti-depressant medication.

The case to have the records disclosed has been through the District Court, High Court, Court of Appeal and finally the Supreme Court over the past three years.

- NZPA