AHPRA’s review of its investigator who edited evidence used to suspend an Adelaide GP under emergency powers should be made public, according to the AMA, which says the incident casts potential doubt over the wider complaints system. 

Known by the pseudonym ‘Dr Shah’, the GP was suspended by the Medical Board of Australia back in early 2021 after a receptionist at his practice told police he had broken into her house and sexually abused her.  

While criminal charges against Dr Shah were later withdrawn, the South Australian Civil and Administrative Tribunal upheld the decision by the medical board saying he was a risk to patients and practice staff. 

This was despite the tribunal being told that the AHPRA investigator responsible for gathering evidence in the case had removed from her file notes comments by a police officer stating that the receptionist was not considered a credible witness.