Doctor banned for unethical patient relationship

A Sydney doctor has been banned from solo practice for two years and ordered to re-train in medical ethics after she began an “intimate relationship” with a patient two months after his terminally ill wife died.

Dr Anne Amigo, a GP from Woollahra in Sydney’s east, was found guilty of professional misconduct for dating and then marrying a male patient, who later committed suicide, The Daily Telegraph reports.

Dr Amigo admitted to the Health Care Complaints Commission that there was a “power imbalance” in the relationship with the 66-year-old patient.

The pair first met when the man took his dying wife of 36 years to see Dr Amigo in June 2006.

Dr Amigo offered the man counseling and in August that year, a month after his wife died, the man invited the GP to a concert to say “thank you”.

The pair began dating later that year, moved in together in 2008 and married.

The man, who was diagnosed with borderline personality disorder, took his own life when Dr Amigo moved out.

Dr Amigo must enrol in a medical ethics course, undergo psychiatric treatment and was banned from solo practice for at least two years.

Readers seeking support and information about suicide prevention can contact Lifeline on 13 11 14 or SANE Helpline on 1800 18 SANE (7263).

Sources: Daily Telegraph
Author: Matthew Henry. Approving editor: Will Jackson

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