A Melbourne gynaecologist who told a patient her vagina was “nice” and looked “just like an Australian one” will not have his registration cancelled.
Obstetrician and gynaecologist Rudolph Gerad Lopes made the sexualised comments to a patient during an internal examination in 2017, a tribunal heard.
Before performing the examination, Dr Lopes said words to the effect: “Ha, I didn’t even have to buy you dinner first”.
The Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal also heard Dr Lopes made sexualised comments to a colleague over several years, including: “Do you want a shag?”, “Can I see your vagina? Pretty pretty please?” and “Can I please do your Pap smears? Mates’ rates just for you”.
He also sent the colleague a text message including “xx”, gave her multiple hugs, drew his arm across her breast, touched her skin on her back and stomach, undid her bra strap and looked down her shirt. The psychological impact on her was profound, and she wore loose clothes, long pants and high tops to avoid his unwanted attention, the tribunal heard.
However, the tribunal noted Dr Lopes had paid a “heavy price” for the humiliation and publicity associated with his conduct.
They said it was unrealistic for him to expect to return to private practice and he told the tribunal he did not intend to.
The medical board wanted Dr Lopes’ registration cancelled to show the seriousness of his conduct and preserve the profession’s reputation.
However, VCAT ruled that cancelling his registration would be “punitive” given the three-and-a-half years he had already been suspended.
They added Dr Lopes would be subject to supervision conditions in the future.
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Obstetrician and gynaecologist Rudolph Gerad Lopes made the sexualised comments to a patient during an internal examination in 2017, a tribunal heard.
Before performing the examination, Dr Lopes said words to the effect: “Ha, I didn’t even have to buy you dinner first”.
The Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal also heard Dr Lopes made sexualised comments to a colleague over several years, including: “Do you want a shag?”, “Can I see your vagina? Pretty pretty please?” and “Can I please do your Pap smears? Mates’ rates just for you”.
He also sent the colleague a text message including “xx”, gave her multiple hugs, drew his arm across her breast, touched her skin on her back and stomach, undid her bra strap and looked down her shirt. The psychological impact on her was profound, and she wore loose clothes, long pants and high tops to avoid his unwanted attention, the tribunal heard.
However, the tribunal noted Dr Lopes had paid a “heavy price” for the humiliation and publicity associated with his conduct.
They said it was unrealistic for him to expect to return to private practice and he told the tribunal he did not intend to.
The medical board wanted Dr Lopes’ registration cancelled to show the seriousness of his conduct and preserve the profession’s reputation.
However, VCAT ruled that cancelling his registration would be “punitive” given the three-and-a-half years he had already been suspended.
They added Dr Lopes would be subject to supervision conditions in the future.
Gynaecologist guilty of professional misconduct over sexual comments
A Melbourne gynaecologist who told a patient her vagina was “nice” and looked “just like an Australian one” will not have his registration cancelled.
www.news.com.au
