Medical practitioner suspended for three months

16 Dec 2016

A plastic surgeon has had his registration suspended by a tribunal for three months after it found he had a sexual relationship with a patient.

Dr Mark James Vucak, a plastic surgeon has had his registration suspended by the Queensland Civil and Administrative Tribunal (the tribunal), for three months after it found that he had a sexual relationship with a female patient.

He was also reprimanded and ordered to complete an education course addressing professional boundary management.

The Medical Board of Australia (the Board) commenced disciplinary proceedings against Dr Vucak in June 2014.

The matter was heard before the tribunal on 18 to 19 August 2015. During the proceedings the tribunal heard Dr Vucak admitted he had sexual intercourse with a patient on four occasions in 2006. This was after the therapeutic relationship had commenced. He admitted that he had engaged in unsatisfactory professional conduct.

In a decision delivered on 20 August 2015, the tribunal found on the basis of the admissions made by Dr Vucak, he had engaged in unsatisfactory professional conduct.

The Tribunal ordered:

1. That Dr Vucak be reprimanded. The reprimand is to be recorded on the Board’s register for 12 months.
2. Dr Vucak’s registration is suspended for 3 months, commencing on 7 September 2015.
3. Following the suspension, Dr Vucak is to complete an education course addressing professional boundary management.

Dr Vucak was also ordered to pay 50% of the Board’s costs.

The tribunal's reasons are available on the tribunal’s decisions website.