Charge
A Professional Conduct Committee (PCC) laid a charge of professional misconduct against Mr Nicholas Owen Drury, Psychologist of Hastings (the Psychologist).

The charge related to a number of breaches that arose in a professional setting over some 2 1/2 years, which alleged the Psychologist had:

• failed to comply with a policy as to comprehensive written assessments;
• interactions with patients and caregivers which were inappropriate;
• made inappropriate comments to patients and caregivers;
• failed to identify the contrast between a patient's presenting condition and the terms of referral;
• handed over a patient who was in crisis to a duty worker without an appropriate referral;
• made critical and derogatory comments to social workers; and
• adopted an unhelpful and displayed a sarcastic attitude in a meeting of members of his team.

Finding
The Tribunal heard the charge with reference to an agreed statement of facts.  The Tribunal found the charge established.

The Tribunal considered that cumulatively the established particulars brought harm and discredit to the profession of psychology.  The Tribunal also noted that discipline was warranted because the established particulars involved;

• a range of patients and colleagues,
• a range of acts and omissions, and
• eleven different matters over 2 1/2 years.

Penalty
The Tribunal ordered:

• the Psychologist be censured;
• from the date on which the Psychologist resumes practice he must only practice under the Psychologist Boards approved supervision for a period of 18 months; and
• pay $10,000 costs.