Disgraced GP can work but has no takers

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A disgraced doctor suspended from practising for two months after forging his practising certificate has been allowed back to work – but no-one is offering him a job.

South Auckland GP Ratilal Magan Ranchhod was suspended for two months after 16 complaints were made against him, he forged a practising certificate, and the health and disciplinary commissioner said he had "grave concerns" about him.

The Medical Council is defending its delay in acting on warnings, saying it followed proper process. It has now issued the doctor with an interim certificate and he has been eligible to work again since February 18, but has not yet found a job.

Council chairman John Adams said Dr Ranchhod's licence to resume work was attached to strict conditions. Any work he is offered must have council approval. He has not yet applied for that approval.

"It always is an issue for doctors returning to practice, especially when there has been publicity in this way," Dr Adams said.

Former employer Richard Hulme, head of East Tamaki Health Care, said Dr Ranchhod had called him last week asking for a job again, but the practice had decided not to give him one.

He believed Dr Ranchhod had been clinically safe working under the stringent supervision conditions at his practice, but given the widespread publicity of the case, it was important to retain the organisation's reputation and trust of their patients.

Health Minister Tony Ryall asked for an urgent report from the Health Ministry about the apparent delay in the council's handling of the case. A spokesman said a report was delivered to his office on Friday with input from the council. "He has seen it but I don't know if he has digested it yet," the spokesman said.

The health and disability commissioner first forwarded 11 complaints about Dr Ranchhod to the Medical Council in May 2006.

Eleven months later, the council recommended that he retrain. A further five complaints were received and two more warnings were sent from the commissioner to the council before the council refused to renew his practising certificate in December 2008 – 32 months after the first complaints were received.

Dr Ranchhod then practised using a forged certificate till asked to stop. He was given an interim practising certificate in April last year, but was fined and suspended for two months in December for working under the forged certificate.

- © Fairfax NZ News