A GP charged with sexually assaulting a patient at a medical clinic south-east of Brisbane remains technically free to practise, despite facing allegations including rape, sexual assault and common assault.
Dr Sophara Roath, 56, was formally charged last week after a patient alleged he was molested during a rectal examination at Our Medical in Loganholme in May.
The alleged victim said he had gone to see the doctor because he was unwell and froze during the incident.
“I completely just froze like, in my head, I’m thinking ‘this is not happening’,” he said.
He said he left the clinic as soon as the alleged assault ended and reported the claim to police immediately.
“I just wanted to get out of there so as soon as he stopped hugging me, I just left,” he said.
Roath, who moved from Cambodia, has practised in Australia for more than a decade. Sexual health is listed among his areas of special interest on an online profile.
Doctor’s medical licence remains unrestricted
Neither Queensland’s medical regulator nor the national regulator has imposed restrictions on Roath’s licence, meaning he is technically still able to practise while the allegations are dealt with.
Patient advocate Beryl Crosby criticised the response, saying: “It should be set up to protect patients but they protect doctors, and they’re too slow to act and they’re a basket case.”
The health ombudsman said practitioners facing immediate action can make a submission before a final decision is reached.
Our Medical has not confirmed whether Roath is still employed at the Loganholme clinic. He remains listed on its website, although appointments with him cannot be booked.
Roath did not comment when approached for a response to the allegations.
He was granted police bail and is due to appear at Beenleigh Magistrates Court.
