Guy Impersonated A Doctor And Treated Patients For 11 Years

Disgraceful


Article heading image for Guy Impersonated A Doctor And Treated Patients For 11 Years

A dodgy "doctor" allegedly used another person's name and medical qualifications to become registered in NSW and practice for more than a decade in Sydney and on the Central Coast.

Shyam Acharya worked in the NSW public health system - specifically at Manly, Hornsby, Wyong and Gosford hospitals - from 2003 to 2014, NSW Health deputy secretary Karen Crawshaw said in a statement on Tuesday.

Acharya allegedly obtained stolen and fraudulent documents while living in India and used them to gain registration with the Medical Board of NSW, Ms Crawshaw said.

He has been charged by Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency but his whereabouts are unknown. He faces being fined up to $30,000.

NSW Health would not say whether Mr Acharya had any medical experience before working in Australia.

His status as a junior doctor with limited registration meant he was subject to supervision, Ms Crawshaw said.

She said Acharya was involved in one critical incident where there were concerns about a patient's treatment, but only as one of several people on the clinical team.

No complaints had been made about him to the Medical Council of NSW or the Health Care Complaints Commission.

Mr Crawshaw said the court case against Acharya would not deal with how he was allegedly able to enter and leave Australia or obtain citizenship in the name of the other doctor.

A spokeswoman for the Department of Immigration and Border Protection said they were aware of the matter.

"It is a matter of current investigation and we can't comment further at this point in time," she said.

"Visa and citizenship fraud is a serious matter with significant consequences."

Opposition health spokesman Walt Secord called on the state government to explain if all patients treated by Acharya had been contacted.

AHPRA's case against Mr Acharya was mentioned in the Downing Centre Local Court on Monday.

-AAP

7 March 2017




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