Doctor banned for 10 years after shocking allegations of inappropriate conduct

Content warning: This article contains disturbing details of misconduct and sexual abuse by a medical professional. Reader discretion is advised.

A troubling case has emerged involving a medical professional who has faced severe consequences following allegations of inappropriate conduct.

This incident has sparked a significant discussion about ethical standards and the importance of maintaining professional boundaries within the medical community.

The actions of this individual have led to a formal investigation and subsequent disciplinary measures, highlighting the need for vigilance and accountability in healthcare practices.


In a case that has sent shockwaves through the medical community and beyond, Dr Thean Soo Chin has been handed a 10-year ban from practising medicine after a series of deeply troubling and inappropriate interactions with his patients came to light.

The New South Wales Civil and Administrative Tribunal (NCAT) delivered a damning verdict, exposing the extent of Dr Chin's misconduct and the profound breach of trust involved.

Dr Thean Soo Chin, who operated in the suburb of Balgownie in Wollongong, south of Sydney, was accused of a range of disturbing behaviours that one would never expect from a medical professional.


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Dr Thean Soo Chin has been banned from practising medicine for 10 years following shocking misconduct with patients. Credit: Facebook / Illawarra Mercury


The allegations, which surfaced during Tribunal hearings, paint a picture of a doctor whose actions were not only unprofessional but also ‘predatory’ and manipulative.

The Tribunal heard that Dr Chin, also known as Christopher Chin, had been charged with sexual offences against three patients in 2019 and 2020.

Although he was found not guilty in the subsequent trials, the accusations that emerged during the Tribunal's proceedings were nothing short of shocking.


One patient recounted how Dr Chin had touched his buttocks while saying ‘soft bum’, while another described how the doctor had worn an apron featuring a naked man and a protruding rubber penis during a consultation.

In a particularly disturbing incident, Dr Chin was accused of grabbing a patient's ears and thrusting his pelvis towards the man's face, mimicking a sexual act, while uttering ‘yeah baby’.

These incidents reportedly took place between August and December 2016.


The Tribunal condemned Dr Chin's behaviour as ‘wholly inappropriate’, and while his lawyer did not admit to these specific claims, there was an admission of ‘inappropriate behaviour of a sexual nature’ with a patient over several consultations in 2016.

This involved photographing the man's penis and touching it without a medical justification, sending the patient pictures of his own penis, performing oral sex on the patient, and receiving oral sex from him.

Additionally, he kissed the patient, made sexual remarks, including during a prostate exam, and pinched and squeezed the patient's nipples, according to the Tribunal.


One patient, who had become dependent on pain medication after surgery, testified that he felt coerced into these sexual acts out of fear that Dr Chin would withhold his prescriptions.

The patient alleged that Dr Chin had ‘me deliberately hooked on drugs so that he could hold out prescriptions in exchange for sexual acts. I would never have done those things,’ a claim that highlights the predatory nature of the doctor's conduct.

During one consultation, the patient testified that Dr Chin offered to prescribe 10 boxes of medication if the man kissed and performed oral sex on him, which subsequently happened.

Afterwards, Dr Chin informed the patient that he would have to engage in sexual intercourse ‘for your next ten boxes’, according to the Tribunal.

Dr Chin's lawyer contended that his client had used an ‘unfortunate turn of phrase’, but the Tribunal remained unconvinced, believing that the doctor had intended his words as stated.


The Tribunal also found that Dr Chin had improperly prescribed drugs of dependence and addiction, such as benzodiazepines and opioids, without considering the safety of his patients, some of whom had histories of drug abuse.

His medical notes revealed an unprofessional attitude and disrespect towards patients, including derogatory remarks and threats of conducting painful procedures without lubrication as a form of punishment.

He referred to one patient as ‘chicken shit’ and remarked it was ‘funny’ that another patient's wife hadn't left him.

Additionally, Dr Chin neglected to document certain parts of the patients' medical histories, including one instance of opioid addiction.


Dr Chin's actions were described by the Tribunal as an ‘egregious breach of his professional obligations’.

His prescription practices were labelled ‘disgraceful’, and the Tribunal rejected his assertion that he had a relationship or friendship with two of the patients involved.

Having been registered as a medical practitioner in NSW since December 1985, Dr Chin's career came to an abrupt halt when he was suspended in 2019 following the complaints.

With his registration now cancelled and no possibility of review for a decade, Dr Chin has indicated he does not intend to return to the practice of medicine.


The shocking allegations against Dr Thean Soo Chin have raised serious concerns about the conduct and ethics of medical professionals.

This troubling case, where a trusted doctor exploited his position, mirrors other recent disturbing incidents in the healthcare sector.

For instance, a care worker was found guilty of performing a sexual act with an elderly man suffering from dementia, highlighting the vulnerabilities faced by patients in care.
Key Takeaways
  • Dr Thean Soo Chin has been banned from practising medicine for 10 years after disturbing details of his misconduct with patients emerged.
  • Accusations against Dr Chin included inappropriate touching, sexual acts before giving prescriptions, and improper prescription of drugs.
  • The NSW Civil and Administrative Tribunal deemed Dr Chin's conduct towards patients as ‘wholly inappropriate’ and ‘predatory’.
  • The tribunal found that Dr Chin's behaviour was an ‘egregious breach of his professional obligations’ and also noted his ‘disgraceful’ prescription practices.
We invite you to share your thoughts and experiences on this matter in the comments below. Have you ever encountered unprofessional behaviour from a healthcare provider? How did you address it? Your insights could help others navigate similar situations and reinforce the importance of accountability in healthcare.
 
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The standard is that medical practitioners having power over patients should conduct themselves professionally with impartiality maintaining distance between themselves and patients.

Disturbingly sometimes reality doesn't meet this standard.

I recall a couple of my own past experiences that consisted of:

1. a practising specialist discussing his patients (women) as objects of desire; and

2. visiting a surgeon for a post-op consult, the individual held the door open enabling me to pass by while entering the office. The doctor's face was red and sweaty, I was very aware of a strong alcohol breath and body odour that smelled like soured/sweet vinegar (an off smell).

The experience noted in 1 above left me never again wanting to consult a male gynaecologist. I have been criticised about this over the years but people can be as critical as they want. I am the one who had to hear this man's rude and frightening words.

As for the incident in 2, the surgeon in question was unknown to me. I now try to meet and discuss my concerns before any proposed procedure and conduct research/seek friends/acquaintances' opinions to learn more about a practitioners' practise prior to engaging him/her.
 
  • Wow
Reactions: Jersey Girl
It should be a life term ban and a long prison sentence, not 10 years. I'm sure some have probably been given longer than 10 years for much smaller offences.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Scaveola and Nantes
We don't need Doctors that behave like that in this Country......deport him on the first available flight.
 
Going by the dates noted in the article and estimating age (because that was not stated) at registration, it's likely that this doctor will not practise medicine in the future.

1985 - Registration as Medical practitioner. Age estimate 25 years.

2024 - Based on age estimate, this person would likely be 64 years old.

2024 + 10 years suspension - In 2034 he'd be 74 years old.

The application process for re-registration isn't quick and easy, it takes time and there is no guarantee of success.

I don't think that many 74 year olds (the estimated age in 2034) would pursue re-registration given unknown possible health constraints in a decade and the past circumstances of suspension.

The community will not likely have this individual serving it in the future.
 
Going by the dates noted in the article and estimating age (because that was not stated) at registration, it's likely that this doctor will not practise medicine in the future.

1985 - Registration as Medical practitioner. Age estimate 25 years.

2024 - Based on age estimate, this person would likely be 64 years old.

2024 + 10 years suspension - In 2034 he'd be 74 years old.

The application process for re-registration isn't quick and easy, it takes time and there is no guarantee of success.

I don't think that many 74 year olds (the estimated age in 2034) would pursue re-registration given unknown possible health constraints in a decade and the past circumstances of suspension.

The community will not likely have this individual serving it in the future.
Hopefully, you're correct with your estimates Anna.....anyway I reckon that he should be struck off for good.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Annna

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