A health watchdog has banned a Queensland general practitioner from treating women in his rooms, restricting contact to telehealth appointments.
On June 8, the health ombudsman took immediate registration action by imposing conditions on the registration of Jitendra Nath, who works at Plaza Central Medical and Aesthetics in Maroochydore on the Sunshine Coast.
Conditions imposed include the requirement Dr Nath, from Parrearra, “must not have contact with female patients with the exception of contact using telehealth platforms”.
The Courier-Mail contacted Dr Nath at his treating room on Tuesday, seeking a response to the announcement, and his reception staff confirmed he was subject to conditions on his registration.
Dr Jitendra Nath.
The Office of the Health Ombudsman conditions state that Dr Nath must take all reasonable steps to ensure female patients are told that the appointment can only be booked if they agree with the consultation being conducted solely using telehealth platforms.
“The practitioner must not provide this information to patients personally,” the conditions state.
The health ombudsman’s decision will continue to have effect until the Queensland Civil and Administrative Tribunal sets the decision aside or the Health Ombudsman removes the conditions imposed.
He has been a general practitioner for 22 years and has worked in emergency medicine, cardiothoracic and in general surgery.
Dr Nath studied medicine at the Fiji School of Medicine, graduating in 1999, and became a fellow of The Royal Australian College of General Practitioners in Australia in 2021, according to the Australian Health Practitioners Regulation Agency website.
Dr Nath has not returned calls seeking comment.