Australian medical tribunal suspends psychiatrist James Taylor for three years for sex with patient

On June 11 2010, the Medical Tribunal of New South Wales suspended psychiatrist James Taylor for three years for professional misconduct.

According to the document published by the Tribunal, Taylor entered into a personal and sexual relationship with a female patient and prescribed to her while in the relationship.

The patient began treatment with Taylor in approximately 1993 and remained for about 14 years.

She moved to a different region in 2004 but would contact Taylor by phone for prescriptions.

In December 2006, the therapeutic relationship changed.  In a statement given to the Tribunal, the patient stated, “When I phoned to get a prescription, Dr. Taylor told me that his marriage had broken up.  He came to my house on Christmas Eve day and we talked for three hours.  We had sexual intercourse for the first time.  The sexual relationship continued until 6 March 2007.”

Taylor admitted he had entered into the sexual relationship with the patient and prescribed to her during that time.

The document states that in approximately January 2007 to early March 2007, Taylor and the patient had expressed intentions to find a rental property for themselves and the patient’s daughter to live together.  The patient also acquired rental space for herself as a physiotherapist on the basis of statements made by Taylor regarding financial assistance.  Taylor however terminated their relationship by telephone on the morning of March 6, 2007.

The document states the patient was devastated by Taylor’s withdrawal from their relationship and plans to live together. On the evening of that day, the patient called Taylor advising she was in a crisis situation.  His response was, “Oh just take a double dose of Lamictal [mood stabilizer]; I am terribly sorry; this has all been my fault.”

Source: Reasons for Determination, Health Care Complaints Commission v. Dr. James Taylor, No. 40008-09, in the Medical Tribunal of New South Wales and “Dr. James Taylor – suspended for three years by NSW Medical Tribunal,” news release of the Health Care Complaints Commission of New South Wales, 15 June 2010.

IF YOUR PSYCHOLOGIST, PSYCHIATRIST OR OTHER MENTAL HEALTH PRACTITIONER HAS ENGAGED IN ANY THREATENING, VIOLENT OR SEXUAL BEHAVIOR WITH YOU, REPORT IT TO THE POLICE AND TO CITIZENS COMMISSION ON HUMAN RIGHTS, WHO CAN ASSIST YOU IN FILING REPORTS, COMPLAINTS, ETC.  PLEASE CONTACT STEVE WAGNER, DIRECTOR OF LITIGATION AT [email protected]