Health Ombudsman v MacDonald

The Health Ombudsman brought proceedings against a registered medical practitioner, Dr. MacDonald, alleging that she engaged in professional misconduct. The misconduct arose from her stealing restricted drugs from her employer and her subsequent conviction of an offence related to that conduct. The parties submitted a statement of agreed facts and a joint proposal on sanction. The court was required to determine whether the practitioner engaged in professional misconduct and whether the proposed sanction was appropriate. The court considered the seriousness of the misconduct, the practitioner's remorse, and the impact of the misconduct on the public interest. The court found that the practitioner's conduct constituted professional misconduct and that the proposed sanction of a six-month suspension of her registration and a payment of costs was appropriate. The court recorded a finding of professional misconduct and made an order suspending the practitioner's registration for six months and requiring her to pay the costs of the proceedings.