Geelong plastic surgeon Dr Ian Holten suspended over patient relationship, sex romp claims
He founded a string of clinics and was a Victorian Australian of the Year finalist. But a leading plastic surgeon has been suspended after a relationship with a patient that included drinking on his yacht, sex and hundreds of text messages.
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A leading Geelong plastic surgeon has had his medical licence suspended for three months after having sex with a patient.
Dr Ian Holten, a former Victorian Australian of the Year finalist, drove the woman to the Geelong Yacht Club, climbed over a locked fence, and drank alcohol in his 50 foot yacht before having sex.
He also admitted a second charge of failing to maintain professional boundaries that should exist between a medical practitioner and their patient after sending the woman 265 text messages over nine months in 2013.
Dr Holten is the founder of Australian Skin Face Body Clinics which has clinics in Geelong, Ballarat, Warrnambool and Horsham.
In a VCAT action taken by the Medical Board of Australia, Dr Holten was alleged to have had a three-year relationship with the woman, known as Ms P, between July 2011 and January 2014.
During that period, he provided cosmetic and surgical services to the woman on 10 occasions.
On the night of January 11, 2014, Dr Holten contacted Ms P and arranged to meet her outside a hotel, which Ms P says was the Torquay Hotel.
Dr Holten drove Ms P 30 minutes to a nearby yacht club, which Ms P said was in Geelong, where they climbed the fence as the gate was locked.
After drinking alcohol on Dr Holten’s yacht, which Ms P said was called Akatea (Maori for At Midday), the pair had sex.
Allegations that Dr Holten failed to maintain professional boundaries included inappropriate communication with Ms P and failing to charge her for treatment.
In a statement, Dr Holten acknowledged the finding.
“As per the finding of VCAT, in 2014 I behaved in a way that constitutes professional misconduct by engaging in a one-off intimate indiscretion with a social acquaintance to whom I provided minor cosmetic procedures,” he said.
“That was a serious error that I deeply regret.
“I am sorry for this lapse of judgment and apologise to all concerned.”
Dr Holten said he would continue to reflect upon his actions, which were totally out of character in an otherwise unblemished career.
“I am currently looking at avenues for appeal but want to assure my patients that they will receive quality and timely care from my colleagues during my absence,” he said.
“I certainly look forward to putting this matter behind me and continuing my practice and also my volunteer work in Australia and Vanuatu.”
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In 2000, Dr Holten was awarded the Centenary Medal for services to Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery and was a Victorian Australian of the Year finalist in 2013.
VCAT was satisfied that Dr Holten was at low or no risk of repeating the conduct.
Dr Holten’s three-month suspension starts on July 11.