AAP

Medical board considers doctor's future

AAP October 22, 2009, 12:05 pm

Queensland's medical board is considering on Thursday whether to suspend a doctor charged with rape.

The 39-year-old doctor, from Toowoomba, who cannot be named, faced Ipswich Magistrates Court on Wednesday charged with two counts of rape.

He was charged after a 34-year-old woman alleged she was sexually assaulted earlier this month by the doctor at a Gatton private practice, west of Brisbane.

Police allege the assaults occurred during a routine consultation.

The Medical Board of Queensland received details of the charges on Wednesday and is now considering suspending the doctor, who was registered in November 2008.

"This is a complete breach of trust," board chairwoman Dr Mary Cohn said in a statement.

"Any exploitation of a relationship between a doctor and patient for sexual gratification is a clear abuse of power and will not be tolerated."

Dr Cohn said doctors who had been disciplined for such behaviour in the past generally had conditions imposed on their registration.

"These conditions are not applied lightly. They are generally the result of a tribunal hearing and an order of the court," she said.

The doctor was granted bail and is due to appear again in court for mention on December 2.

Police have appealed for other patients with similar experiences to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.

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