Urologist accused of practising uncertified

An Invercargill urologist continued to write prescriptions after he knew his practice certificate had been revoked, a former patient says.

Sajan Bhatia, who is also a Southland District Health Board member, has allegedly been practising uncertified since December, The Southland Times reported.

He is being investigated by the Health Ministry and the Medical Council.

Mr Bhatia has denied the accusations and any wrongdoing.

The former patient said she was "furious" at his statement that he was not aware his certificate had been revoked.

"I was just angry about the fact that he's sort of saying he wasn't seeing patients in May when in fact he was seeing patients in May and he knew he wasn't reinstated as far as his certificate was concerned," she told the newspaper.

The woman said she had received prescriptions in May.

Mr Bhatia should have referred patients when he found out he could no longer practice and she would make a complaint to the Medical Council.

Medical Council chief executive Philip Pigou said a letter stating Mr Bhatia's certificate had been revoked was sent to his address by courier on December 10. It was signed for at 1.42pm.

The council did not receive written notice from Mr Bhatia that he would stop practising until July 8, he said.

Otago Southland District Health Boards regional chief executive Brian Rousseau said Mr Bhatia had not worked at Southland Hospital since 2004.

- NZPA