A doctor accused of misconduct over an alleged affair with a patient in the United States is facing an internal investigation over what he told his New Zealand employer of the claims.
Dr Paul Fox was to return to work this week but a spokeswoman for the Waikato District Health Board yesterday confirmed he was "on leave". She would not say if he had been asked to stay away or was facing disciplinary action.
Dr Fox has worked for the health board's mental health and addictions service in June 2012 and is fully registered and has full credential to practice as a psychiatrist in New Zealand.
He also told Waikato health bosses he had voluntarily surrendered his medical licence in the States, but what is unclear is if he disclosed the accusations of "possible boundary violations" to them.
"Dr Fox's ongoing employment with Waikato DHB is a matter that is being addressed between the parties involved and is subject to the usual privacy protections afforded to all employees of Waikato DHB," the spokeswoman said.
