Sex-case doctor still working

It is alleged the man stupefied several young men, then indecently touched them. The practitioner is still working in Hawkes Bay, according to the Medical Council register.

The Medical Council of New Zealand suspended a doctor accused of sexually touching young men when it learnt of the allegations.

The Hawke's Bay medical practitioner is still practising despite facing 13 charges - five of stupefying young men and eight of indecently assaulting them.

The 40-year-old has interim name suppression.

Some incidents are alleged to have taken place in a treatment cubicle, a toilet and a darkened surgical room between January and September last year.

A Medical council spokesman said the council immediately took action when it learnt of the allegations. It suspended the doctor from practising before charges were laid against him.

However, this order was overturned by the District Court which allowed the man to practice with conditions in place.

The doctor is still working in Hawke's Bay.

Under the Health Practitioners Competence Assurance Act 2003, a chaperone must be present at all consultations with patients. The chaperone must be a healthcare worker with no personal relationship to the patient.

The man must log all consultations, including the name of the chaperone.

That log must be available to the Medical Council and his employer. The man has waived privacy and employment rights that could hinder such monitoring.

The Medical Council is monitoring these conditions, the spokesman said.

"Now that charges have been laid the council is in the process of considering further action."

The man is yet to enter a plea to the charges. The maximum penalty for indecent assault is seven years' imprisonment, and the maximum penalty for stupefying is five years.

He will appear in Hastings District court again this month.