A doctor pretended to be a psychiatrist and began sexual and personal
relationships with his patients then told them it was a figment of their
own imagination, a Sydney court heard yesterday.
Roger Stephen Jones, 55, a general practitioner who worked as a careers
medical officer for the Illawarra Area Health Service, has been brought
before the Medical Tribunal for gross and inappropriate conduct.
He feigned psychiatric credentials several times and began treating
patients with borderline personality disorder, depression, suicidal
thoughts, post-traumatic stress disorder and identity disorder.
It was alleged that he had begun a sexual relationship with one of his
patients in 1995, and this had lasted more than three years, the tribunal
heard yesterday.
Counsel for the Health Care Complaints Commission, Anna Katzmann, SC, said
that as soon as the relationship with the first patient ceased Jones became
involved with a 37-year-old patient.
He began giving her teddy bears, sending her money and writing her letters
and cards containing personal information. He visited her grandmother overseas.
Tape recordings of Jones's sessions reveal him telling a patient: "I take
lots of female patients to bed ... don't be jealous."
He is also heard to say: "Madam, I'll put you across my knee," and
"Naughty, very naughty, go to bed."
It is alleged he also tried to blame the patient for stealing naked
photographs of him, which she said he had given to her, the tribunal heard.
While Jones has now admitted to a sexual relationship with the patient, he
initially responded by saying the woman was delusional. He still denies
that the relationship went on for as long as the patient says.
Jones, who removed his name from the medical register on Friday, opted not
to give evidence to the tribunal, instead writing a statement acknowledging
his behaviour was grossly improper.
"I denied the relationship for reasons of self-protection," he said, adding
that he had decided not to appear before the tribunal because he did not
wish to put patients through the stress of giving evidence.
Ms Katzmann called for Jones not to be re-registered and for a suspension
to be imposed for a significant period before he could seek a review.
Outside court a former patient of Jones said: "This has been eight years of
torment. It doesn't stop; it never stops."
The tribunal has reserved its decision.
http://smh.com.au/articles/2003/03/17/1047749719432.html
