Get care reviewed, patients told

Patients of an Invercargill private urologist, Sajan Bhatia, treated since February 2007, are being advised to have their care reviewed as claims about his practice are investigated.

Patients, regardless of whether they feel well, are asked to contact their GP so a check can be made that their care was appropriate, a joint recommendation from the Ministry of Health and Medical Council says.

The investigation is expected to be completed early next year.

The results will determine if further action will be taken.

In February 2007, Dr Bhatia was found guilty of professional misconduct by the Health Practitioners Disciplinary Tribunal over his treatment of a Southland woman, who had bladder cancer, in 2004.

He was fined $5000, ordered to pay 30% of the costs of the proceedings and was to practise according to conditions imposed on him by the tribunal or the medical council.

These conditions included joining a peer review group, undergoing a clinical audit and practising under the supervision of a urologist.

The council stated it did not renew the practising certificate last December because of concerns about compliance with conditions of practice.

The two organisations said Dr Bhatia had been asked to provide a list of patients treated since February 2007 but had not done so.

Council chairman Prof John Campbell, of Dunedin, said patients who went to their GPs would not have their clinical details shared with the ministry, which was only seeking evidence to establish whether Dr Bhatia continued to practise after his practising certificate was withdrawn.

If doctors had any concerns about the treatment, they could deal with it, or refer patients to other health professionals.

Prof Campbell said he believed patients, whom he expected to be mostly from Southland, would readily come forward so the investigation could be completed.

The ministry and council advised that Dr Bhatia had closed his practice, and his consulting rooms in Dee St, Invercargill, had been sold.

Dr Bhatia yesterday did not comment, but referred the Otago Daily Times to his lawyer, Nic Soper.

Mr Soper could not be reached yesterday afternoon.

• Otago and Southland district health boards chief executive Brian Rousseau said Dr Bhatia had not worked for the Otago board and had not been employed by Southland since 2004 or 2005.

• Health and Disability Commissioner Ron Paterson said Dr Bhatia had been the subject of a previous complaint to his office, but there were no outstanding complaints about him.

• Patients will be required to pay for the cost of the GP visit themselves, but if they have concerns about that, they should discuss it with their GP. Patients who do not have a GP are asked to telephone 0800 524 524. Anyone who wishes to speak to a health advocate can call 0800 555 050.

• Dr Bhatia is a member of the Southland District Health Board.