Doctor found guilty of sexually assaulting patients remains registered to practise

Why This Matters

• Patients and the public rely on doctors being held to high professional standards. A convicted sexual offender remaining on the register undermines trust in the medical profession.
• The case exposes a potential loophole: criminal guilt does not automatically strip a doctor's registration, and the regulatory process can be slow or subject to tribunal stays.
• For women, particularly in regional areas where doctors are scarce, the system may not adequately protect them from practitioners deemed a risk.

Background

Medical registration in Australia is managed by the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA) and state Medical Councils. These bodies can suspend or cancel a practitioner's registration if they pose a risk to the public. Criminal convictions are a factor, but the process requires formal action, often through a tribunal, and can be appealed. This case is unusual because of the “dual purpose” element: the assaults occurred during procedures that had a medical basis, complicating the legal and regulatory response.

Key Perspectives

• Victims: The women who came forward describe profound betrayal and lasting trauma. The Braidwood victim said the court process itself has caused further injury, and she is “disgusted” that Puri’s registration has not been cancelled.
• Defence: Puri’s legal team argues the case does not involve deception or pretext, and that the jury may have misjudged his intentions. They seek a sentence that does not reflect the most serious category of offending.
• NSW Medical Council: The regulator states it cannot automatically suspend a practitioner on conviction and must act within the law, with confidentiality preventing it from commenting on current matters.
• Critics of the system: The gap between criminal and professional outcomes suggests reform may be needed. The victim’s criticism of the court process and the tribunal’s decision to allow continued practice have drawn attention to how the system handles doctors convicted of sexual offences.

What to Watch

• Sentencing in December, the length of the sentence will affect the scope for any further registration action.
• The notice of appeal, if successful, it could delay or change the regulatory outcome.
• Whether the HCCC seeks cancellation of Puri’s registration through NCAT, and how the tribunal weighs the need for doctors in regional areas against patient protection.