The Ministry of Health last week announced Deepak Gupta, who formerly worked in the ophthalmology department at Dunedin Hospital, had been discovered to have treated patients in breach of Covid-19 orders.
That breach could cost Dr Gupta up to $4000.
Dr Gupta, who is understood to oppose vaccination mandates, voluntarily cancelled his registration in January and left the hospital.
The Otago Daily Times asked the SDHB several questions about the case, many of which it did not answer, citing staff privacy.
A spokeswoman confirmed Dr Gupta did not see or examine any patients on behalf of the SDHB after the vaccine mandate came into effect in November last year.
His departure posed an additional headache for the SDHB ophthalmology service, which has previously been the subject of a highly critical review by the health and disability commissioner.
Ophthalmology came under the spotlight again last month after the SDHB was told that more than 1000 people on its waiting list were in the upper range of seriousness and about 3000 people were at the lower end.
The SDHB spokeswoman said recruitment of a replacement for Dr Gupta was ongoing.
"The ophthalmology service is utilising the services of locum staff and the assistance of the private sector to ensure that care can continue to be provided to patients that need it while the department recruits."
