Womanising Psychiatrist 'struck off'

Another psychiatrist has had their license suspended or "struck off" in Queensland, Australia. As seen here

A doctor who had affairs with two patients and acted inappropriately with a string of others has been struck off for two years and ordered to undergo counselling.

Eric Quan, a GP based in Mackay in central Queensland, today admitted in the Health Practitioners Tribunal in Brisbane to unsatisfactory professional conduct by maintaining a sexual relationship with a patient.

Quan began his career as a GP in South Africa in 1982, and practised in Cape Town until he was sponsored to live in Australia on a work visa as a temporary resident in January, 2003.

He became a permanent resident in October the following year on condition that he work in areas of need until 2009.

Quan began working at the Hibiscus Medical Centre, in Mackay in January 2003, and had his first consultation with the woman who was the subject of the allegations in November of that year.

During that consultation, Quan told the married woman she had "beautiful boobs".

The relationship lasted until the end of 2005, continuing after her husband had reported the matter to the Health Rights Commission, and they had begun an investigation.

Quan also admitted to having a sexual relationship with another female patient between May 2004 and January this year, and that he had sex with her in his rooms, at her home, and at motels and caravan parks.

He also owned up to propositioning one other female patient, who reported him, and admitted acting inappropriately with three others.

Quan has also conceded that he had relationships with three patients in South Africa, each of 12 months standing, between 2000 and 2002.

Quan has been diagnosed by a psychiatrist as suffering from bipolar disorder, which meant he had mood and behaviour swings.

However, the psychiatrist said his behaviour in part also stemmed from personality traits of entitlement and narcissism.

Judge Julie Dick, who chaired the Health Practitioners Tribunal, said she was concerned by the number of patients involved, that the behaviour continued after an investigation had begun and about his psychiatric condition.

She also ordered that any resumption of his practice should be conditional on him having chaperones, supervision, continued psychiatric treatment and periodic independent reviews.