A doctor suspended after being accused of having a personal relationship with his patient can keep practising after a tribunal ruled his remaining patients need him during the COVID-19 crisis.

The Medical Board of Australia had originally used its emergency powers against the psychiatrist when the patient overdosed on benzodiazepines he allegedly prescribed her and collapsed at Melbourne Airport while waiting for a flight to the US to attend a detox centre.

Staff at the hospital where she was subsequently treated said they found text messages from the psychiatrist on her phone, which included pet names and personal messages such as “this doctor is missing his patient”.

Following his suspension, the psychiatrist allegedly sent the woman texts and phone calls — up to 40 in one day — calling her “disgraceful” and blaming her for the loss of his registration.