Ex-chief psychiatrist 'rendered unemployable' gets licence conditions removed

Licence conditions removed for Tasmania's ex-chief psychiatrist Aaron Groves following prescription of drugs to partner In short: Tasmania's former chief psychiatrist has avoided further disciplinary action, after he admitted to prescribing schedule eight drugs to his partner. The Tasmanian Civil and Administrative Tribunal cleared Aaron Groves of an allegation he had an improper relationship with a former patient, but upheld an allegation he committed professional misconduct by prescribing her drugs. What's next? Dr Groves will have to undertake training, but otherwise all conditions on his licence will be removed. Tasmania's former chief psychiatrist has had conditions on his medical registration removed, after earlier admitting to professional misconduct by prescribing medication to his partner. Aaron Groves was facing allegations that he had entered an improper relationship with a former patient, and prescribed her schedule eight drugs. The Medical Board of Australia took Dr Groves to the Tasmanian Civil and Administrative Tribunal (TASCAT) over the two allegations. In June, TASCAT cleared Dr Groves of the allegation regarding the relationship, but upheld the allegation that he improperly prescribed her drugs including oxycodone. "While Dr Groves initially strongly resisted making that admission, he has informed the tribunal that he has come to accept that his prescribing conduct constituted professional misconduct as defined under the national law," the June judgment reads. Now, TASCAT has removed conditions on Dr Groves's licence that, in practice, "rendered him unemployable and have, practically, been tantamount to a suspension". But he will be required to undertake training. "It is beyond dispute that he has suffered a catastrophic fall from grace for reasons associated with these proceedings," the latest judgment reads. "In respect of general deterrence, the facts of his circumstances provide more than sufficient warning and deterrence as to dissuade any other professional who might otherwise risk engaging in similar misconduct." The Medical Board was ordered to pay Dr Groves the portion of his legal costs relating to the unfounded allegation about the improper relationship, which amounted to $185,000. Pair met after complaint to health minister Dr Groves was appointed Tasmania's chief psychiatrist in November 2017, a non-clinical role that involves supervising psychiatry services in the state. He met a woman — who TASCAT calls AA — in March 2021, after she made a complaint to then health minister Sarah Courtney about a doctor at the Royal Hobart Hospital. The last instance of professional contact was in July 2021, before the pair began texting on a personal basis in September that year. They formed a relationship in December. The following year, Dr Groves wrote AA a number of prescriptions, including for oxycodone. The prescribing pharmacist was concerned and reported it to a more senior pharmacist, who later reported the matter to the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency. While Dr Groves initially argued prescribing the drugs was on an emergency basis as the pair were about to go overseas, he later admitted "to having inappropriately prescribed medications for Ms AA after she had become his partner," the June judgment reads. TASCAT considered a number of factors in assessing whether the relationship itself was inappropriate, including the nature and length of the professional relationship, and the time that elapsed before their personal relationship began. It ultimately concluded the relationship between the pair, who are now married, was not inappropriate. Groves was unable to work due to licence conditions Dr Groves' licence was suspended in October 2022, but in June the following year was restored with stringent conditions while the TASCAT hearing took place. TASCAT said he had been unable to find employment due to those conditions. In deciding whether to impose a suspension on Dr Groves' licence, TASCAT looked at mitigating features including the fact that he had been unable to practise for more than three years, had undergone some further education, possessed an otherwise clear professional record, and had complied with the conditions on his licence. "The tribunal has been unpersuaded that a further period of suspension is required for the purposes of either general or specific deterrence," the judgment reads. TASCAT reprimanded Dr Groves, and imposed a condition on his registration requiring him to complete a minimum of six hours of education about prescribing, and "providing care to those close to you". [Image text:] Tasmanian Government