Radio New Zealand - Te Reo Irirangi o Aotearoa

Council defends handling of complaints over doctor

Updated at 3:47 pm on 15 March 2010

The Medical Council is defending how it handled warnings regarding a South Auckland doctor who had more than a dozen complaints against him.

In a decision last week, Ratilal Ranchhod was found guilty by the Health Practitioners' Disciplinary Tribunal of forgery and working without a valid certificate.

The Medical Council did not renew the doctor's practising certificate after it expired in December 2008, and he failed exams it required him to re-sit.

The Health and Disability Commissioner wrote several times to the Medical Council warning of grave fears for public safety.

But Medical Council chairperson John Adams told Nine To Noon dealing with complaints takes time, and he is satisfied the council has robust processes in place.

The council has finished a report sought by Health Minister Tony Ryall, he says.

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