GP struck off for touching patients inappropriately

A SYDNEY GP accused of inappropriately touching three vulnerable young female patients and asking questions about their sex lives has been deregistered for at least 18 months.

Dr Victor King, who practised at the Chinatown Medical Centre from 2007 to 2008, was deregistered by the Medical Tribunal of NSW after it found him guilty of professional misconduct.

In its judgement, the tribunal said Dr King touched one patient’s genitals with his fingers for a “significant period” before taking a Pap smear – her first – in late 2007. While doing this he asked personal questions about her boyfriends and sexual experience, the judgement said, noting the questioning was embarrassing and unnecessary.

Another patient presenting with genital itchiness was showed pictures of “diseased male and female genitals” by Dr King before a lengthy intimate examination during which the GP moved his fingers in and out of the patient’s vagina continuously.

The tribunal also found Dr King had treated a third patient’s injured wrist by stroking it in a “personal manner” while asking about her sex life and boyfriend.

“The conduct involved a violation of patients who were particularly vulnerable because of their youth and inexperience,” the tribunal concluded.

The tribunal said it was unclear if Dr King was ignorant or motivated by sexual gratification and was not satisfied he posed no risk to the public.

The GP was deregistered for 18 months and ordered to pay the bulk of tribunal costs.

Dr King was unable to be reached for comment.