Process too slow - woman

Medical authorities have been "unacceptably slow" in ruling on sex and drug allegations facing a Christchurch doctor, the alleged victim says.

The Medical Practitioners Disciplinary Tribunal heard the case in November but it might be April before a decision is made.

The woman, who has permanent name suppression, yesterday told The Press she expected nothing less from a system that had taken more than eight years to address her case.

The doctor, who denies allegations he had sex with, and gave the then teenage complainant drugs, has interim name suppression and continues to practise.

A tribunal spokeswoman yesterday said a draft decision had been sent to the five-member panel who could make changes to the decision before it was sent to lawyers acting for the complainant and the doctor. The decision would be released a week later.

However, the complainant said the process had taken too long. "It has taken eight years to get here, so I guess a bit more waiting won't hurt ... but it has been unacceptably slow," she said.

- © Fairfax NZ News