A psychiatrist has been struck off after having sex with a patient who experienced disinhibition and an elevated libido after he inappropriately prescribed her Ritalin (methylphenidate).

The WA State Tribunal also rapped the doctor for failing to divulge the medications he had prescribed in a referral to another psychiatrist, potentially putting her health and safety at risk.

Adding to his professional misconduct, the psychiatrist tried to persuade the vulnerable patient not to co-operate with an AHPRA investigation into his conduct.

“The tribunal can and does conclude that the practitioner was prepared to sacrifice the patient’s health and wellbeing in pursuit of his own desire to avoid having to deal with the complaint to the [medical] board,” the tribunal wrote.