On October 7, the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency said that Dr Aaron Groves had been suspended by the Medical Board of Australia, leaving him unable to practise.

No reason was given for the decision, citing national privacy laws.

Groves resigned from his position as SA Chief Psychiatrist in September 2017 to take up the same post in Tasmania, shortly after writing a report detailing myriad concerns over treatment and abuse of patients at the Oakden Older Person’s Mental Health Service.

The Weatherill Labor Government committed to closing the facility after it released the report in April, 2017.

In 2021, Groves received the Royal Australian New Zealand College of Psychiatrists’ Margaret Tobin Award.

After his licence was suspended by the Medical Board of Australia on October 3, leaving him unable to practice, he applied to the Tasmanian Civil and Administrative Tribunal for a stay on his immediate suspension, but was denied.

The tribunal’s recently published decision revealed Groves’ registration was suspended over an alleged relationship beginning in December.

The medical board claims Groves “exploited the inherent power imbalance that exists between registered medical practitioners and people under their care”.

The board alleges Groves was aware the woman was vulnerable and suffering from mental health issues, for which he was professionally involved in clinically reviewing and organising treatment.

Groves and the woman have claimed they never had a doctor/patient relationship.

Groves said his role did not involve assessing or treating patients, while the woman said Groves had never assessed, treated or provided care to her and there had not been a power imbalance.

Groves contacted the woman on a request from Tasmania’s then-health minister in early 2021 after she made a complaint against another doctor.

He allegedly arranged for her to be seen the next day for treatment by a practitioner under the auspices of the department’s mental health Hospital in the Home program.

The pair allegedly maintained sporadic contact during the year.

In June, AHPRA received a notification from a pharmacist in relation to Groves prescribing a Schedule 8 controlled drug.

Tasmania’s health department subsequently commenced a code-of-conduct investigation, leading to notifications to regulators which culminated in the medical board licence suspension.

The chief psychiatrist role is described as statutory and one that does not involve the treatment of individual patients within the state health system.

Groves, who is currently stood down without pay, argued he would suffer adverse financial impacts if a stay on the suspension was not granted.

The tribunal ruled against him, noting he would still be suspended as chief psychiatrist as part of a departmental investigation.

The tribunal said the role would “no doubt, be performed by another, appropriately qualified, person” in the meantime.

The tribunal will review the suspension at a later date.

– with AAP