Referral of medical practitioner to Tribunal dismissed

29 Sep 2016

The State Administrative Tribunal of Western Australia (the tribunal) has dismissed a referral by the Medical Board of Australia (the Board) regarding specialist psychiatrist, Dr Roger Paterson.

In its referral, the Board alleged that Dr Paterson had engaged in improper conduct in a professional respect and /or gross carelessness or incompetency based on allegations about his diagnosis and treatment of a patient with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD); his termination of the therapeutic relationship with the patient; and his failure to maintain adequate clinical records for the patient.

The tribunal heard the matter in January 2016, and issued its decision in May 2016.

The tribunal concluded that Dr Paterson had failed to maintain adequate clinical records for the patient and adequately document the basis upon which the diagnosis of ADHD was reached and the criteria or symptoms relied upon for making this diagnosis. However, the tribunal ultimately found that Dr Paterson had not engaged in conduct sufficiently serious to warrant punishment and disciplinary action for the protection of the public.

The tribunal therefore dismissed the Board’s application.

The tribunal’s decision is published on the AustLII website.