Celebrity doctor returns after being struck off for deaths, drugs

A celebrity surgeon who had an affair with a patient and was struck off after the death of two patients has relaunched his Sydney clinic.

A celebrity cosmetic surgeon has reopened his clinic in Sydney’s eastern suburbs after being readmitted since being struck off in 2022 following the death of two patients.

Ear, nose and throat surgeon Dr William Mooney was found guilty of misconduct and had his registration cancelled in April 2022, after the NSW Civil and Administrative Tribunal (NCAT) found he made “egregious departures from proper standards” concerning the surgeries of two patients.

In November 2017, Dr Mooney performed a surgery to unblock the sinuses of a 41-year-old man. The doctor became “disorientated” and penetrated the bone below the patient’s brain, disrupting an artery and causing bleeding which led to the man’s death.

Dr Mooney has return to his clinic in Sydney’s eastern suburbs.

In February 2018, Dr Mooney operated on a 24-year-old man for his snoring. Dr Mooney noticed some bleeding but believed he had stopped it. The man underwent emergency surgery two days later for a recurrent haemorrhage and died of a heart attack.

The tribunal also heard Dr Mooney had a two-year affair with a 22-year-old patient.

Dr Mooney prescribed the patient weight-loss medication, despite knowing that she suffered from an eating disorder, the tribunal heard.

Despite the breaches, Dr Mooney successfully applied for his registration to be reinstated in March 2024.

Dr Mooney’s registration has been reinstated. Picture: Rhinoplasty Sydney

In a note posted to his website – Rhinoplasty Sydney – Dr Mooney announced his return to surgery.

“Dr William Mooney has returned to practice as a specialist ENT surgeon with a focus on functional and cosmetic rhinoplasty,” the note on his website states.

The welcome message on Dr Mooney's website. Picture: Rhinoplasty Sydney

“He has had over 20 years’ of experience as a surgeon and looks forward to continued service to the community with precision, care and dedication.

“Booking and clinic details will follow.

“We wish you good health.”

In his attempt to be reinstated in March, the tribunal heard how Dr Mooney was caught with cocaine outside his Bondi apartment in October 2022 for which he pleaded guilty to possession.

Dr Mooney has returned to his clinic in Bondi Junction. Picture: Supplied

Mr Mooney specializes in Rhinoplasty and Facial Cosmetic Surgery.

Despite this, NCAT ruled that Dr Mooney had put a “considerable amount of time and effort” into addressing his “past unethical behaviour”.

“In our view, Mr Mooney has proven that he can be trusted to practise in an honest and ethical manner and presents no risk to the safety of the public and their confidence in the profession,” the tribunal ruled.

“It is highly unlikely that Mr Mooney will repeat any of the mistakes of the past.”

In July, the NSW Medical Council attempted to appeal the decision but was unsuccessful.

“Mr Mooney is not a perfect individual, far from it,” Justice Mark Leeming said in the Court of Appeal’s judgment.

“But there was ample evidence to conclude, as NCAT did, that he can be trusted to practise in an honest and ethical manner, that he presents no risk to safety.”

Originally published as Celebrity doctor returns after being struck off for deaths, drugs