A report by the Health and Disability Commissioner says a doctor made a severe departure from expected standards when he performed an internal examination on a woman patient.
The woman had gone to her GP complaining of nausea, diarrhoea and extreme tiredness.
She later complained about the appropriateness of the doctor performing a vaginal examination, and that he didn't explain why he was doing so.
The commissioner, Anthony Hill, says the doctor did not offer her a chaperone, provide her with a private space to undress, or provide her with anything to cover herself with during the examination.
He found the doctor breached the Code of Health and Disability Services Consumer Rights in several respects, including by acting unprofessionally and showing a lack of respect for the woman and her physical privacy.
An investigation on possible further action is pending.
