Psychiatrist targetted in death probe.

As reported here

A disgraced Rockhampton psychiatrist and would-be politician banned last year from practising after a patient sex scandal faces fresh allegations he was responsible for another patient's death from a drug overdose.

Christopher John Alroe, 50, had his medical licence cancelled for four years by the Health Practitioners' Tribunal in May 2005 after he was found guilty of unsatisfactory professional conduct for a sexual relationship with a registered nurse he had treated for a bipolar disorder.

Alroe, who twice stood for the federal seat of Capricornia, was criticised by the tribunal for preying on the woman's vulnerability and for his "predatory and exploitative conduct".

He appealed the tribunal's findings unsuccessfully.

New allegations have surfaced this week that Alroe prescribed an excessive amount of medication for a patient with a history of drug abuse and significant mental illness without proper supervision measures being put in place.

The male patient died four days later from what a coronial inquiry found was an overdose of methadone.

A referral notice filed by the Medical Board of Queensland with the Queensland District Court on Monday stated Dr Alroe's actions in August 2003 constituted unsatisfactory professional conduct.

The document said Alroe treated the male patient a number of times in 2003 knowing he had a significant history of drug abuse and significant psychiatric illness and had not complied with medication in the past.

But on August 19 of that year, Alroe prescribed a number of controlled and restricted drugs for the patient, including 20 tablets of methadone. The patient died of an overdose on August 23.

It was alleged the treatment was inappropriate because the prescription was excessive in the circumstances, and that Alroe did not ensure the patient was on a methadone program or that each dose was dispensed by a pharmacist or drug rehabilitation clinic. He also did not ensure the patient was well enough to use the medication without supervision.

Steps were allegedly not taken to ensure there would be no misuse of the methadone, and Alroe did not ensure the patient received ongoing care.

A directions hearing into the matter had yet to be set by the Health Practitioners Tribunal.

Alroe's solicitor Damien Alroe, of Alroe and O'Sullivans solicitors, yesterday said there would be no comment until the matter was dealt with.