Sex misconduct GP struck off

A Perth GP has been struck off the medical register after admitting sexual misconduct with two female patients and improper conduct by having a personal relationship with a third patient.

The Medical Board of Australia had applied to the State Administrative Tribunal to have Terence Alexander Costley's registration cancelled over the offences, which occurred between 2008 and 2010.

Dr Costley, 57, argued the appropriate penalty was for him to be suspended for two years, backdated to August 2010, and asked that his name not be made public - both of which the tribunal rejected. It was told he closed his surgery in 2010 and stopped practising but successfully applied to the board to be a non-practising practitioner until the tribunal's penalty was handed down.

The tribunal also fined him $2000 over two less serious findings. They related to Dr Costley writing a prescription for a woman without examining her and writing a medical certificate for her when he knew she was not sick. He was ordered to pay the Medical Board's costs of $64,763.