Full list: 15 doctors, nurses deregistered or disciplined in South Australia in 2023

Tempted by drug supplies, losing their patience with patients or out of office crime, these 15 medical professionals were deregistered or restricted in 2023.

Julie Harrison and Andrew McGavigan. Pictures: Greg Higgs and NCA NewsWire/Brenton Edwards

In most cases, doctors, nurses and other health practitioners are trusted members of society, helping people when they’re at their most vulnerable.

But each year, some medical employees make bad decisions and find themselves barred from practicing in the industry or with conditions placed on their registrations.

Some get tempted by a seemingly easy supply of medications. Others take it too far and lose their patience with patients.

Here is the full list of medicos who had their practicing rights cancelled or restricted in 2023 according to the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA).

CANCELLATIONS

Robert James Byrne 

Medical practitioner – Tranmere

This eastern suburbs doctor was busted after providing a woman ten years younger than him both prescription and illegal drugs, and engaging in sexual activity with her only metres from his partner and child as they slept.

Dr Robert James Byrne, 39, had his registration cancelled in November last year, after the South Australian Civil and Administrative Tribunal (SACAT) found he had used and supplied both alcohol and drugs to the woman before sleeping with her when she was unable to consent.

They also found he had been crushing and snorting medication diazepam with her.

At the time of the allegations, in 2019, he was a general practitioner at a mental health centre and was enrolled in a psychiatrist training program.

The complaint by the Medical Board of Australia was referred to SACAT which sought to have the allegations declared “professional misconduct”.

As well as finding allegations of drug use as fact, the tribunal found a “sexual encounter” between the two had occurred, but could not make a finding about who had instigated the activity.

The woman had sent messages to Dr Byrne after the encounter, telling him she was “not okay with what happened” and “couldn’t consent and you knew better”.

“We are satisfied that in these circumstances (the woman’s) capacity to consent to sexual activity or to make any considered judgment about engaging in sexual activity was compromised or impaired,” the tribunal found.

“At the time of the conduct Dr Byrne was a medical practitioner of seven years’ experience … and was employed as a registrar and practising as a medical practitioner.

“All the complaints established in this matter concern conduct inconsistent with a health practitioner of that level of qualification and experience.”

According to AHPRA, Dr Byrne cannot currently practice in the country, with his registration cancelled as of November 11, 2023.

David Benjamin Campese

Registered nurse – Bedford Park

A registered nurse at the Royal Adelaide Hospital was banned from working in the industry after his sexualised actions towards a female coworker were declared “deplorable” conduct.

The Royal Adelaide Hospital on North Terrace, Adelaide. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Morgan Sette

David Benjamin Campese was banned and reprimanded for a series of six workplace incidents involving “unwanted sexualised conduct” towards a female colleague at the RAH.

In a published ruling, SACAT found Mr Campese guilty of professional misconduct towards the woman including making sexually explicit gestures, inappropriately placing stickers on her breasts, handling her in a sexually suggestive manner, slapping her on the bottom and touching her breasts.

The Tribunal said Mr Campese’s conduct continued over a period of about six months between November 2019 and May 2020.

“All of the conduct occurred while (Mr Campese) and the (woman) were on duty at the Royal Adelaide Hospital and were working as operating theatre nurses,” the tribunal found.

“Mr Campese was also in a position of authority as Team Leader.”

Mr Campese did “little to cooperate with the AHPRA investigators”, with the Tribunal finding his conduct was “both brazen and arrogant”.

“He was insightless,” they said.

“He engaged in no less than six incidents of unwanted sexualised conduct towards a nurse colleague in a busy public hospital where not only other hospital staff and workers were present and could have easily witnessed the events and been accordingly distracted, distressed or in some other way adversely affected, but also, hospital users, members of the public.

“If any of those persons had witnessed any of Mr Campese’s shameless actions, there is no doubt that the nursing profession’s public reputation would as a whole be brought into disrepute in this state.”

Mr Campese was banned from working in any capacity as a health professional for 12 months and ordered to pay costs.

Andrew James Atkins

Registered nurse – Adelaide

There is no information available as to why Mr Atkins is no longer able to practice as a nurse, but according to AHPRA, his registration was cancelled/prohibited as of November 2023.

Andrew Douglas McGavigan 

Cardiologist, Bedford Park

In a tremendous fall from grace, a well respected cardiologist was busted by specialist detectives in possession of thousands of files of child exploitation material.

Andrew Douglas McGavigan, 49, was arrested on December 7, 2020 after SA Joint Anti Child Exploitation Team (JACET) officers raided his Hawthorn home and found the abusive material on his iPhone X.

His mobile had a user-controlled encrypted cloud storage app installed, where 9235 images or videos had been downloaded over a 17-day period from September 22 to October 9, 2020.

Only 4061 files were able to be examined by officers.

The South Australian District Court heard the “predominant” amount depicted abusive material.

Cardiologist Professor Andrew McGavigan was de-registered after being arrested by JACET. Picture: NCA NewsWire/Brenton Edwards

Officers also discovered messages between McGavigan and other people discussing engaging in sexual activities with children in Thailand via messaging apps Skype and Line between May 31 and December 6, 2020.

The heart surgeon later pleaded guilty to one count each of accessing and possessing child abuse material and using a carriage service in a harassing or offensive way.

The Medical Board referred Dr McGavigan to the Tribunal, but he elected not to engage in the investigation process.

“(Dr McGavigan) admits the matters alleged in the initiating application save and except for any suggestion that because of his conduct, he will remain lacking in good character and integrity (towards children and other vulnerable persons) and unfit and improper to practice medicine indefinitely into the future,” the Tribunal said.

His practicing registration was cancelled in September last year.

Bruno Paul Giorgio

Gynecologist – Melbourne/Waterfall Gully

While this doctor was investigated for his misconduct by a Victorian tribunal, he also lost his South Australian registration last year, according to AHPRA.

Dr Bruno Paul Giorgio was a “very experienced obstetrician and gynaecologist” who served as the Clinical Director of Obstetrics and Gynaecology at Goulburn Valley Health in Shepparton at the time of his misconduct.

The Medical Board of Australia referred eight allegations against Dr Giorgio to the Victorian Tribunal in August 2020, before he officially retired in October that year.

Bruno Giorgio, 73, was working as a gynecologist when he made "inappropriate" jokes about "fornication" to a patient. Picture: Supplied/Goulburn Valley Health

“Unfortunately, he has ended his career with the stain of serious allegations of misconduct – broadly relating to his prescribing practices and to his communications with and processes for obtaining consent from patients – casting a cloud over that career,” the Victorian Tribunal found.

The tribunal found that between 2016 and 2018, Dr Giorgio “inappropriately prescribed ten different Schedule 4 poisons and one Schedule 8 poison” in the names of two other people for the purpose of self-administration, without proper consultation and without consulting their other doctors.

They also said he had told the parents of a young female patient that she had been sexually abused, however the “finding of sexual abuse was made without adequate experience or knowledge in the areas of paediatric gynaecology or forensic examinations”.

He also failed to refer the patient to the Royal Children’s Hospital to undergo further forensic examination if he suspected sexual abuse had occurred.

The Victorian tribunal banned him from re-registering until January 22, 2024.

According to AHPRA, Dr Giorgio’s South Australian registration was cancelled in January 2023.

Lee Michael Hunt

Enrolled, Modbury

There is no information about why Lee Michael Hunt is no longer registered as a nurse in South Australia, however his practiciting registration was cancelled in December 2023, according to AHPRA.

Annette Susan La Roche

Enrolled nurse, Para Hills

This former Royal Adelaide Hospital nurse was jailed in 2019 after running down her ex-boyfriend’s new partner with her car.

Annette Susann La Roche, 38, of Davoren Park, pleaded guilty just before her trial to causing serious harm by dangerous driving and leaving the scene of an accident after an incident in Gulfview Heights in July 2017.

She was charged after she went to the home of her former partner to collect a small amount of money she claimed she was owed.

La Roche then beeped the horn and had her lights on high beam when her ex’s new partner approached the car “carrying something”.

La Roche panicked, reversed backwards and then forwards over the victim before fleeing the scene.

She was jailed for more than three years, and, according to AHPRA, her nursing registration was cancelled in April 2023.

Esther Nomyula Nthupi

Registered nurse, Port Augusta

Ms Nthupi’s registration as a nurse was cancelled in October 2023 by AHPRA.

Julie Anne Wright

Enrolled nurse, Strathalbyn

Julie Anne Wright’s registration as a nurse was cancelled in March 2023.

AHPRA has not given any reasons for the termination.

Julie Harrison

Registered nurse, Adelaide

Disgraced former manager of a “prison-like SA nursing home” Julie Harrison engaged in “appalling conduct over a prolonged period” during her time working for the Oakden Older Persons Mental Health Facility.

In November 2023, Ms Harrison’s nursing registration was cancelled because of her professional misconduct at Oakden, which the tribunal heard was “run like a zoo” by “manipulative, incompetent” employees.

It is the third time Ms Harrison has been censured over her eight-year tenure at the home which, a coronial inquest heard, was run by “manipulative, incompetent” staff.

In addition to being condemned by former State Coroner Mark Johns in 2018, Ms Harrison’s conduct led to a finding of maladministration, by ICAC, against her and four others.

Julie Harrison was de-registered after the disastrous conditions were discovered at Oakden. Picture: Greg Higgs

ICAC also found the facility, which was a specialist service for older people with dementia, was “medically unsafe” to the point that residents were suffering neglect.

In its ruling, SACAT said Ms Harrison was genuinely remorseful for her actions but that in no way offset the seriousness of her conduct nor displaced her duty of care to the residents.

“Ms Harrison shared the responsibility for the care of a very vulnerable group of members of our community,” it said.

“There can be no doubt that she must have been aware of their appalling neglect and abuse at the hands of the health workers at Oakden over whom she had control.

“If not, then she ought to have known.”

She was banned from re-registering for 10 years.

Brooke Ann Nelsen

Enrolled nurse, Munno Para

This northern suburbs nurse’s registration was cancelled in August last year, however AHPRA has not given a reason for its termination.

Tracey Joan Dawkins

Registered nurse, Elizabeth

Hooked on benzodiazepines, this drug and alcohol service nurse went on a robbery crime spree, holding up three service stations in just 20 minutes.

Northern suburbs nurse Tracey Joan Dawkins, 62, had her nursing registration cancelled and was banned from reapplying for four years after she was jailed in 2020 for three counts of robbery.

In a decision handed down by SACAT in March 2023, Dawkins admitted not only her criminal offending but also failing to report her arrest to the health services watchdog.

Dawkins was qualified and started working as a registered nurse in August 1981, but had sporadic disciplinary problems because of her prescription drug issues.

She was working as a clinical nurse with Drug and Alcohol Services SA which is attached to SA Health.

On March 15, 2020 Dawkins was driving an Alfa Romeo and wearing an akubra hat when she robbed three service stations in quick succession.

In all three cases she walked into the service station and placed a yellow note on the counter which read: “give me the money or else I’ve got a knife and will kill you”.

As she was leaving the third store she was stopped and arrested by police.

She was charged with two counts of aggravated robbery and one count of attempted aggravated robbery.

A District Court judge sentenced Dawkins to four years, two months and 12 days in prison with a non-parole period of 18 months.

She has since been released from prison but is still on parole.

The tribunal heard she was working for an NDIS provider, but that her tasks did not include administration of tablets or other medicine.

“She is however unsupervised when she carries out her duties at a customer’s home,” the tribunal heard.

“The lack of supervision when providing care is for vulnerable persons is a matter of concern for the Tribunal given the respondent’s prior history which includes an incident of her taking medication intended for another person.”

Dawkins was banned from practicing as a nurse for four years starting in March 2023.

Manh Peter Nguyen

Pharmacist, Gilberton

This pharmacist was, according to AHPRA, mainly practicing out of a location in Gilberton when his registration was cancelled/prohibited in November, 2023.

There were no reasons listed for Mr Nguyen’s cancellation.

RESTRICTIONS

Ronald Charles Combe

Registered nurse – Aldgate

An Adelaide Hills mental health nurse was banned from working in the industry for two years after he was seen grabbing a vulnerable patient by the hair and threatening to make her sleep in seclusion, SACAT found.

Registered nurse Ronald Charles Combe was in May 2019 working for an Adelaide mental health service where a female inpatient was receiving treatment for serious mental health conditions.

The Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia referred a complaint about Mr Combe to the tribunal, alleging his actions toward the patient constituted professional misconduct.

In its ruling, the tribunal found Mr Combe, a nurse of 40 years, was working the overnight shift when the patient woke about 1.10am on May 21, 2019 and began yelling out.

His coworker comforted her and gave her medication to sleep, but when she woke again at 2.30am and began screaming Mr Combe pulled her by the hair and insulted and belittled her.

A witness to the incident told the tribunal she heard the patient call out “that’s abuse” as Mr Combe was holding her hair.

The tribunal found in a report to police, the patient said Mr Combe “started telling me off … he then said I needed to go to bed or I would be put in seclusion”.

She told police Mr Combe “was standing over me about 1m away … he then leant over and grabbed my hair at the top of my head with his right hand”.

There is no suggestion Mr Combe’s conduct was criminal.

Mr Combe resigned shortly after the incident and told the tribunal he was “unlikely to ever seek registration as a nurse again”.

He was disqualified from applying for registration as a health practitioner for a period of two years commencing from the hearing date of 23 June 2023.

Li-Sien Rebekah Neoh

General practitioner, Whyalla

This GP referred at least 180 patients suffering with vertigo to her father for treatment – but her father was not a registered health professional.

The tribunal found Whyalla GP Dr Li-Sien Rebekah Neoh had committed professional misconduct by referring patients to her unqualified father, as well as allowing him to use her log-in details to access and make entries on patient clinical records.

Referred to the tribunal by the Medical Board of Australia, her behaviour, which stretched between 2014 and 2019, was ruled professional misconduct.

The tribunal found she had failed to assess patients herself, or notify them, upon referral to her father, that he was not and never had been a registered health practitioner.

The medical board told the tribunal that allowing her father to use her log-in details to access patient records was a “serious and sustained” departure from “the standards of competence expected of a registered medical practitioner” and that the conduct “gave rise to safety concerns for those patients”.

Dr Neoh admitted she had failed to provide adequate medical care, failed to obtain informed consent and kept inadequate records and failed to maintain their integrity by allowing her father to access them.

The tribunal noted Dr Neoh had recognised and acknowledged that her conduct “demonstrated inappropriate practices which could expose her patients to risk”, had since made significant changes to her practice and accepted the conditions to be placed on her registration.

She was formally reprimanded and conditions, including regular audits, were placed on her registration.

Originally published as Full list: 15 doctors, nurses deregistered or disciplined in South Australia in 2023