In Re Dr Ian McHue [2007] NSWMT 11

New South Wales Medical Tribunal

CITATION : In Re Dr Ian McHue [2007] NSWMT 11 revised - 20/12/2007 TRIBUNAL: Medical Tribunal PARTIES : Health Care Complaints Commission (HCCC) Dr Ian McHue FILE NUMBER(S) : 40007 of 2007 CORAM: Rein, SC DCJ - Warden, Dr J - Diamond, Dr M - Collier Ms A CATCHWORDS: Medical practitioner (GP Anaesthetist) with alcohol dependence - History of failure to comply with conditions on practice imposed by the Medical Board as a part of Impaired Registrants' Program - Attended at hospital while under the influence of alcohol - Misleading statements made to the Board appointed psychiatrist and Tribunal about use of alcohol - Unsatisfactory professional conduct - Professional misconduct - Practitioner removed from the register of medical practitioners LEGISLATION CITED: Medical Practice Act 1992 (NSW) Re Dr Than Le NSW Medical Tribunal 20 September 2001; Prakash v HCCC [2006] NSWCA 153; Law Society of NSW v McNamara (1980) 47 NSWLR 72; Smith v NSW Bar Association (1992) 176 CLR 256; Wanigaratme v Health Care Complaints Commission [2000] NSWCA 204; HCCC v Litchfield [1977] 41 NSWLR 630 ; Gayed v Walton unreported NSWCA 31/7/1997 BC97080; Bannister v Walton (unreported NSWCA 30/04/1992 BC9201911) ; CASES CITED: In re Zaidi [2006] NSWMT 6 ; HCCC v Karalasingham NSWCA 267; A Solicitor v Council of the NSW Law Society 216 CLR 253 ; Prothonotary v P [2007] NSWCA 320; Ex parte Lenehan (1948) 77 CLR 403; Prothonotary v Ritchard (BC8701242, NSWCA 31 July 1987); NSW Bar Association v Maddocks (NSWCA 23 August 1998); Gad v HCCC (2002) NSWCA 111 ; NSW Bar Association v Meakes [2006] NSWCA 340 DATES OF HEARING: 7, 8, 9 November 2007 DATE OF JUDGMENT: 14 December 2007 LEGAL REPRESENTATIVES: Mr G Farmer (HCCC) Mr D Ronzani (Dr McHue) ORDERS: 1. Dr McHue's name be removed forthwith from the Register of Medical Practitioners; 2. Dr McHue not be permitted to apply for review of Order 1 for a period of two years from date of decision; 3. Dr McHue to pay the HCCC's costs of the proceedings