Auckland GP Facing Fraud Charges

Auckland GP Facing Fraud Charges

A Panmure general practitioner appeared in the Auckland District Court this morning [3rd December] facing one fraud charge with an estimated total of approximately $216,000, with numerous further charges expected.

Crown Solicitor, Kristin Cato, appearing on behalf of the Ministry of Health, told the court that the amount of money involved in the charges totalled about $1.4 million of Government funds.

The funds related to the Primary Healthcare Organisation regime, and in regards to the doctor’s bail application, it was submitted by the Crown that a prison sentence was inevitable, should the charges be proven.

“It has been systematic behaviour over the last four years, changing entries which enabled him to receive money from the Ministry of Health,” said Kristin Cato.

The doctor was granted interim name suppression and the medical practice can not be identified.

Auckland District Health Board Chief Planning and Funding Officer Dr Denis Jury said it was appropriate that this matter had reached the jurisdiction of the courts, and he hoped that the prosecution of this doctor would act as a timely reminder to any health professional contemplating fraudulent activity.

“There is no indication that the doctor was clinically incompetent,” he said.

The man was remanded on bail for a pre-depositions hearing on 18th January on the condition that he surrender his passport and report daily to police.

ENDS

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