NSW: Psychiatrist who assaulted psychotic patient loses appeal

AAP General News (Australia)
08-18-2000
NSW: Psychiatrist who assaulted psychotic patient loses appeal

A stressed and overworked psychiatrist who assaulted a psychotic patient who'd punched
him has lost his appeal to be re-registered.

In May last year, the New South Wales Medical Tribunal ordered that Dr MICHAEL WANIGARATNE
-- whose registration as a medical practitioner had lapsed -- not apply for re-registration
for a period of 12 months.

The NSW Court of Appeal has today dismissed his appeal.

Dr WANIGARATNE, now aged 63, was director of clinical services at Kenmore Hospital
in Goulburn on March 13, 1997 when a psychotic patient struck another doctor in the face.

The patient then ran at Dr WANIGARATNE and punched him forcing staff to restrain and
wrestle the patient.

The tribunal concluded that the doctor, who'd been under a great deal of stress from
his workload and working conditions, became angry and upset, lost control and struck out
at the patient.

Witnesses said he'd grabbed the patient's hair and kicked him several times.

The tribunal found the doctor then gave deliberately false and misleading accounts
at two disciplinary interviews.

In rejecting the appeal, the court said the tribunal had NOT erred in concluding that
the doctor lacked insight into his behaviour and that the conduct was a deliberate departure
from accepted standards.

AAP RTV mss/ah/nf/jn

KEYWORD: WANIGARATNE (SYDNEY)

2000 AAP Information Services Pty Limited (AAP) or its Licensors.