Psychiatrist guilty of professional misconduct

A PSYCHIATRIST who sent a patient messages on an internet dating website and suggested they have a sexual relationship has been found guilty of unsatisfactory professional conduct and formally reprimanded.

Dr William Douglas Wade went before a Medical Professional Standards Committee in relation to his treatment of the woman, the Health Care Complaints Commission said.

The HCCC said the woman had a complex medical background including chronic PTSD relating to childhood sexual abuse, mood instability, major depression and borderline personality disorder.

It argued Dr Wade failed to observe professional boundaries in relation to the patient. As well as exchanging messages with the woman on the RSVP website he exchanged telephone calls, text messages and emails with her and met her for dinner, after which he “inappropriately touched her, kissed her and commented on her breasts”, the HCCC said.