Colleagues support 'banned' doctor

BY KATE NEWTON

An Auckland doctor who had 16 complaints made against him may have been overworked rather than incompetent, a colleague says.

The Health Practitioners Disciplinary Tribunal found Ratilal Magan Ranchhod guilty of professional misconduct and fined him $27,500 in a decision made public on Wednesday. He had been working without a practising certificate.

It also suspended his interim practising certificate – granted under strict conditions in April 2009 – for two months.

Dr Ranchhod's suspension has ended but he is no longer working.

The health and disability commissioner warned the council in December 2007 that he held "grave concerns" about the risk Dr Ranchhod posed to patients and recommended the council immediately suspend his practising certificate.

However, the Medical Council did not do so until December 2008.

Health Minister Tony Ryall has asked for a report on the case.

Deputy Health and Disability Commissioner Rae Lamb said yesterday that the Medical Council should have acted more quickly. "From our perspective, and certainly the public's perspective, it does appear to have taken too long."

Although most of the 16 complaints against Dr Ranchhod had been minor, there were a few more serious ones, she said.

However, a senior colleague at the Manurewa clinic where Dr Ranchhod worked briefly last year said most of the complaints appeared to have happened because Dr Ranchhod was stressed and tired.

Until January 2009, he ran Housecall, a health service that included treating patients at rest homes and prisons.

Richard Hulme, East Tamaki Health Care clinical director, said he understood Dr Ranchhod worked late at night and during weekends.

"I think it was a reflection of the working environment he had been in. It was really more the situation that he was working in that was potentially unsafe."

When Dr Ranchhod began working at East Tamaki Health Care in November last year, his clinical and communication skills were assessed, Dr Hulme said.

"They're certainly to the standard that would make him a safe practitioner."

Dr Ranchhod had asked earlier this year to be allowed back to work at the clinic.

However, the tribunal's report and the subsequent publicity made it less likely that he would return, Dr Hulme said.

Dr Ranchhod could not be contacted yesterday.

Time line

May 2006: Health & Disability Commission passes on 11 complaints about Dr Ranchhod to the Medical Council, suggesting an investigation.

October 2006: Complaint 12 received.

April 2007: Medical Council reviews Dr Ranchhod's competence and recommends he re-train.

June 2007: Complaint 13 received.

July 2007: Medical Council establishes further conditions on Dr Ranchhod.

December 2007: Complaints 14 and 15 received. Health and disability commissioner warns of "grave concerns" and asks the Medical Council to suspend Dr Ranchhod's practising certificate.

January 2008: Medical Council resolves not to suspend Dr Ranchhod's certificate but imposes strict conditions on him, including weekly monitoring.

July 2008: Complaint 16 received. Health and disability commissioner repeats warnings about the doctor.

December 2008: Dr Ranchhod re-sits his Primex exam; Medical Council decides not to renew his practising certificate.

January 2009: Dr Ranchhod continues practising, forging his practising certificate.

Medical Council advised that Dr Ranchhod is still practising and asks him to stop immediately.

April 2009: Dr Ranchhod is given an interim practising certificate.

May 2009: Dr Ranchhod interviewed by the Professional Conduct Committee about the forgery and unapproved work, and ordered to appear before the Health Practitioners Disciplinary Tribunal.

December 2009: Hearing held; Dr Ranchhod fined and suspended from practice for two months.

March 2010: Hearing findings released; Health Minister asks for an urgent report on Medical Council's actions.

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