Controversial doctor who was fired for 'reprehensible' misconduct gets reinstated - here's the full story
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The medical profession is one of the most important and demanding professions in our society. Doctors are entrusted with the care of our health and well-being, and as such, they are held to the highest standards of conduct. They’re someone we instantly trust.
While it is important for all professionals to be professional at all times, it is especially important for doctors. Their profession requires them to be knowledgeable and skilled in their field and to always put the needs of their patients first.
Medical practitioners who are found to breach this code of conduct often have their medical registration revoked.
Such has been the case for Dr Thomas Goyer whose registration was cancelled in August 2019 after it was discovered that his practice at the Medical Weight Loss Institute was significantly below acceptable standards.
The Health Care Complaints Commission (HCCC) looked over 25 patient complaints and discovered that Dr Goyer continued to administer dangerous medications despite not having the necessary training to treat obesity.
Dr Goyer, who served in the Australian Army before specialising in non-surgical cosmetic procedures, was found to have provided more than 1000 prescriptions for medications that were not effective for weight loss, a tribunal was informed.
The HCCC also compared his activities to a 'call centre', claiming that he offered consultations to weight-loss patients via phone and online.
The controversial doctor had his medical registration cancelled after it was found that he had been conducting ‘questionable’ procedures. Credit: news.com.au.
He was said to frequently prescribe medications, some of which had been demonstrated to raise the risk of stroke and induce psychosis as well as another pill that had been banned from distribution in Australia.
Dr Goyer was found guilty of professional misconduct in 2019 by the NSW Civil and Administrative Tribunal, which cited his 'reprehensible' disregard for potential interactions between the prescriptions and underlying medical issues.
The decision read: 'We find that the practitioner’s conduct in prescribing compounded stimulant medication for this cohort of particularly vulnerable patients, without a physical examination, was totally inappropriate.'
The authorities discovered that Dr Goyer had improperly examined patients before providing prescriptions, had failed to obtain consent, and had failed to inform patients of the hazards associated with the drugs.
He was deemed to have engaged in professional misconduct and was given a minimum one-year ban from practising medicine.
The tribunal voiced major concerns about Dr Goyer's sincerity and concluded that he had a 'completely inadequate' comprehension of the rules, stating that it had observed in its evaluation dated September 7 of this year that the doctor had previously caused the tribunal to have 'arrogant, obstructive, and uncooperative' issues.
Dr Goyer appealed his case to the tribunal, acknowledging and apologising for his previous misconduct and vowing to never practise phone consultations again. Credit: news.com.au.
Dr Goyer testified before the tribunal that he was aware that his prior procedures had failed to provide patients with safe care and that the prescriptions he wrote might have endangered people.
He had also made efforts to address his professional and personal shortcomings, the court was informed.
The doctor apologised for his earlier actions and vowed never to practise medicine over the phone again.
Now, the tribunal has motioned to reinstate Dr Goyer and allow him to practise cosmetic medicine under heavy conditions.
The tribunal decision read: 'We are confident that the applicant can now practise in the area of minor (non-surgical) cosmetic medicine in a manner which does not compromise the health and safety of the public or place at risk the maintenance of the confidence of the public in the medical profession.'
Dr Goyer will only be permitted to perform non-surgical cosmetic procedures while being continuously supervised and audited.
He is also forbidden from prescribing any of the problematic medications he previously prescribed or any self-medication.
The tribunal also demanded that he complete education programmes in ethics, allergies, and diabetes and continue receiving psychological counselling.
Doctors must always be respectful and courteous to their patients and maintain confidentiality. They must be honest in their dealings with patients, and never take advantage of their position of trust.
Patients rely on their doctors to provide them with the best possible care, and doctors must always strive to meet that expectation. They must be constantly learning and keeping up to date with the latest advances in medicine so that they can provide the best possible care for their patients. It’s terrifying to think someone we trust could be wilfully harming us.
Do you agree with the tribunal's decision to allow the controversial doctor to practise cosmetic medicine again? Share your thoughts with us in the comments below.
While it is important for all professionals to be professional at all times, it is especially important for doctors. Their profession requires them to be knowledgeable and skilled in their field and to always put the needs of their patients first.
Medical practitioners who are found to breach this code of conduct often have their medical registration revoked.
Such has been the case for Dr Thomas Goyer whose registration was cancelled in August 2019 after it was discovered that his practice at the Medical Weight Loss Institute was significantly below acceptable standards.
The Health Care Complaints Commission (HCCC) looked over 25 patient complaints and discovered that Dr Goyer continued to administer dangerous medications despite not having the necessary training to treat obesity.
Dr Goyer, who served in the Australian Army before specialising in non-surgical cosmetic procedures, was found to have provided more than 1000 prescriptions for medications that were not effective for weight loss, a tribunal was informed.
The HCCC also compared his activities to a 'call centre', claiming that he offered consultations to weight-loss patients via phone and online.
The controversial doctor had his medical registration cancelled after it was found that he had been conducting ‘questionable’ procedures. Credit: news.com.au.
He was said to frequently prescribe medications, some of which had been demonstrated to raise the risk of stroke and induce psychosis as well as another pill that had been banned from distribution in Australia.
Dr Goyer was found guilty of professional misconduct in 2019 by the NSW Civil and Administrative Tribunal, which cited his 'reprehensible' disregard for potential interactions between the prescriptions and underlying medical issues.
The decision read: 'We find that the practitioner’s conduct in prescribing compounded stimulant medication for this cohort of particularly vulnerable patients, without a physical examination, was totally inappropriate.'
The authorities discovered that Dr Goyer had improperly examined patients before providing prescriptions, had failed to obtain consent, and had failed to inform patients of the hazards associated with the drugs.
He was deemed to have engaged in professional misconduct and was given a minimum one-year ban from practising medicine.
The tribunal voiced major concerns about Dr Goyer's sincerity and concluded that he had a 'completely inadequate' comprehension of the rules, stating that it had observed in its evaluation dated September 7 of this year that the doctor had previously caused the tribunal to have 'arrogant, obstructive, and uncooperative' issues.
Dr Goyer appealed his case to the tribunal, acknowledging and apologising for his previous misconduct and vowing to never practise phone consultations again. Credit: news.com.au.
Dr Goyer testified before the tribunal that he was aware that his prior procedures had failed to provide patients with safe care and that the prescriptions he wrote might have endangered people.
He had also made efforts to address his professional and personal shortcomings, the court was informed.
The doctor apologised for his earlier actions and vowed never to practise medicine over the phone again.
Now, the tribunal has motioned to reinstate Dr Goyer and allow him to practise cosmetic medicine under heavy conditions.
The tribunal decision read: 'We are confident that the applicant can now practise in the area of minor (non-surgical) cosmetic medicine in a manner which does not compromise the health and safety of the public or place at risk the maintenance of the confidence of the public in the medical profession.'
Dr Goyer will only be permitted to perform non-surgical cosmetic procedures while being continuously supervised and audited.
He is also forbidden from prescribing any of the problematic medications he previously prescribed or any self-medication.
The tribunal also demanded that he complete education programmes in ethics, allergies, and diabetes and continue receiving psychological counselling.
Doctors must always be respectful and courteous to their patients and maintain confidentiality. They must be honest in their dealings with patients, and never take advantage of their position of trust.
Patients rely on their doctors to provide them with the best possible care, and doctors must always strive to meet that expectation. They must be constantly learning and keeping up to date with the latest advances in medicine so that they can provide the best possible care for their patients. It’s terrifying to think someone we trust could be wilfully harming us.
Do you agree with the tribunal's decision to allow the controversial doctor to practise cosmetic medicine again? Share your thoughts with us in the comments below.
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