Medical practitioner’s registration suspended for inappropriate prescribing

22 Sep 2016

A medical practitioner who admitted to inappropriate prescribing has had his registration suspended by a tribunal for a period of two years.

The Medical Board of Australia (the Board) commenced disciplinary proceedings against Dr Kenneth James Stark on 19 December 2013. The Board’s referral to the Queensland Civil and Administrative Tribunal included allegations of:

• inappropriate prescribing
• treating persons in a close personal relationship
• inappropriate storage and handling of controlled drugs
• substandard documentation
• making an untrue statements to the Board’s investigator, and
• performing surgery while impaired.

Dr Stark made certain admissions in respect of the allegations and agreed to findings of unprofessional conduct and professional misconduct.

The Tribunal found that many aspects of Dr Stark’s conduct did not meet acceptable professional standards assessed in the context of his training, experience and seniority in the profession.

The Tribunal ordered that Dr Stark be reprimanded and his registration suspended for a period of two years. During this time he is to undertake a course on record keeping. Following his suspension, conditions are to be put on his registration, including that he is only to work in a Board approved position, under supervision and with limited prescribing rights.

He was also ordered to pay the Board’s costs.

The reasons for the tribunal’s decision are published on the AustLII website.