The Medical Board of Australia’s decision to stop using chaperones for doctors accused of sexual misconduct has led to more doctors having their registration temporarily suspended under emergency powers, a review has found.

The board announced it was abandoning the use of chaperones two years ago amid claims the system was failing to protect patients.

It followed accusations that Tasmanian neurologist Dr Andrew Churchyard had continued to assault male patients despite the imposition of chaperone conditions in May 2015, after he was charged with indecently assaulting two of his patients.

An independent investigation by New Zealand patient safety expert Professor Ron Paterson described the chaperone system as “the fox guarding the henhouse” with many patients left in the dark about why a chaperone was present during their consults.