A doctor recently found guilty of professional misconduct will learn the fate of his medical status in April.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Dr Anil Kotilingaiah Mathad, formerly of Rutherford Family Medical Practice, was found guilty by the NSW Civil and Administrative Tribunal of professional misconduct on February 16 after complaints from four patients and two practice staff members, one of whom was a minor. The tribunal will determine what action to take at a hearing on April 11.
Dr Mathad began working at Rutherford Family Medical Practice in June 2013, aged 38. He was fired in March 2014, but later reinstated to the practice then terminated again in November 2014.
In that time, he is accused of groping a female patient’s breast and saying “they look quite nice, can I have a feel”, lifting up another patient’s bra, touching her nipple and flicking her nipple ring.
It is also alleged he intentionally brushed a third patient’s breast when taking her blood pressure and in one instance, pulled her top down and said “hey boobies”.
Dr Mathad denied the allegations, but said he could have inadvertently touched the patient’s breasts when taking her blood pressure.
The tribunal was satisfied the patient who claimed Dr Mathad groped her breast did not embellish her evidence and that she was genuine in saying “I wouldn’t bring myself here if I was a liar”. They also accepted that the practitioner played or flicked a patient’s nipple piercing.
They accepted Dr Mathad did pull down the patient’s blouse and said “boobies” and that he intentionally brushed her breast when taking her blood pressure.
Dr Mathad was also accused of sending unprofessional text messages to staff and patients and showing sexual images to staff.
Dr Mathad initially denied the text messages he sent were inappropriate, but later said he understood texting patients was generally inappropriate.
The tribunal found he demonstrated a lack of insight into his inappropriate actions by way of comments or texting with female patients and employees.
Dr Mathad also drove a 16-year-old trainee home after he was told not to and is accused of stroking her arm and kissing her on the cheek.
Dr Mathad said he stroked the girl’s back and head and kissed her on the forehead. He said he was consoling her when she was upset as one would console a child.
Dr Mathad was terminated after this incident, but later reinstated. The trainee did not continue at the practice after he was re-instated.
He was fired again in November 2014, the day after the incident where he allegedly flicked a patient’s nipple ring. A Facebook post had been circulated about Dr Mathad prior to his termination notice.