Doctor Gregory John Hammond reprimanded over relationship with ‘vulnerable’ former-patient

A GP has been suspended for three months after he “sexted” and slept with a “vulnerable” former patient who he asked “not to tell anyone”.

A GP has been suspended from practice after he “sexted” and slept with a “vulnerable” former patient.

A GP has been suspended for three months after he “sexted” and slept with a “vulnerable” former patient.

Court documents have revealed how the two developed an “online connection” later commencing a sexual relationship.

Gregory John Hammond, 51, has had his registration as a GP suspended for three months following a sexual relationship with a former patient in Queensland.

Court documents have revealed how Dr Hammond had engaged in relations with a female patient between December 2021 to April 2022.

Dr Hammond had started treating the woman on a regular basis, court documents reveal.

He and the woman had developed an “online connection” while he was treating her, first through playing Pokemon and Animal Crossing and then through texting and sharing TikTok videos.

Court documents noted the woman had a number of vulnerabilities.

After Dr Hammond stopped working in the woman’s area, she invited him to meet privately if he was ever back in town.

He took her up on the offer some months later, and the two engaged in sexual activities.

The woman’s husband had actually driven her to meet with Dr Hammond, as the two had been in an open relationship according to the court documents.

Dr Hammond had asked the woman “not to tell anyone”, Judge Geraldine Dann noted when handing down the Queensland Civil and Administrative Tribunal (QCAT) decision this week.

But she said the two continued exchanging “frequent” and “extensive” messages that were “often of a personal and sexual nature” – and later arranged to meet up in person again.

“They began ‘sexting’ and exchanging sexually explicit photographs and video recordings of themselves,” said Judge Dann.

Dr Hammond had also sent the woman an image of a gash wound to another patient’s leg on one occasion.

In February 2022, the woman’s psychologist notified the Queensland’s Health Ombudsman of their relationship.

Dr Hammond made admissions to the Ombudsman when questioned and also apologised to the woman at the time.

He was stood down by Queensland Health as a result, and the Ombudsman imposed conditions restricting him from having contact with female patients.

The court documents note Dr Hammond had finished a Bachelor of Medicine/Bachelor of Surgery at the University of Queensland in 2011, and held specialist registration in rural and remote medicine since July 2017.

He had not previously been the subject of any disciplinary proceedings, and was permitted to continue working at a practice in Kempsey, New South Wales.

But the QCAT decision delivered on Tuesday, October 29, found Dr Hammond’s actions constituted “professional misconduct” and reprimanded him.

Judge Dann noted Dr Hammond had acknowledged the inappropriateness of his conduct involving a “vulnerable” person.

She said he had expressed shame and remorse for his behaviour and engaged in counselling.

Judge Dann said Dr Hammond’s conduct was “objectively serious”, given it spanned months and involved a patient with “significant vulnerabilities”.

“The respondent’s knowledge of aspects of the relationship between (the woman) and her husband was gained from the personal relationship with (the woman) which developed out of the therapeutic relationship and demonstrates the exploitative aspects of what occurred between them,” said Judge Dann.

“It is apparent that the respondent was not unaware of the impropriety and seriousness of his actions.”

But she said the Tribunal considered it unlikely Dr Hammond would engage in similar conduct in future, given his remorse and efforts to educate himself on appropriate boundaries.

Dr Hammond’s medical registration was suspended for three months from December 1, 2024, to March 1, 2025.

After that period, he will need to nominate a mentor to APHRA to guide him in managing appropriate professional boundaries with female patients.