GP escapes referral over fitness-to-drive road death
An elderly patient had ‘doctor shopped’ in order to retain his licence, coroner finds
A GP has escaped referral to the Medical Board of Australia, after an elderly patient apparently “doctor shopped” to retain his licence before causing a fatal collision.
Richard White, 89, had been told not to drive by the GP less than two weeks before the incident, a coronial investigation heard.
The GP had also referred Mr White to a geriatrician for further assessment.
But he had not informed the state roads authority of his concerns about the patient’s memory, the Coroners Court of Queensland said.
