Dr Gabriel Kolos, a visiting medical officer at the hospital for just over 13 years, resigned as general physician on November 14.

It followed a Medical Council of NSW decision to suspend his registration. While the Council would not detail the complaint/s it investigated due to confidentiality, a spokesman confirmed it had taken the “urgent action” to protect public health.

“Dr Gabriel Kolos was suspended from practice effective November 13, 2014, as the result of a hearing convened by the Medical Council of NSW under Section 150 of the (Australian) Health Practitioner Regulation National Law (NSW),” a spokeswoman said.

“…In general terms, Section 150 states that the Council must take urgent interim action to either suspend a medical practitioner or impose conditions upon their registration if it is appropriate to do so for the protection of the health or safety of the public.”

The action is taken pending the outcome of other formal inquiries or investigations.

Dr Kolos told the Post he resigned his hospital position because without registration, he could not practice.

The “over 70-year-old” said there was no pressure on him to do so and he bore the administration no ill will over the matter.

At the same time he said senior management had told him they could not keep him in a position of “clinical leadership” given the complaints that led to his suspension.

Neither the Southern NSW Health District nor the Medical Council would disclose the complaints.

Dr Kolos says they are “without substance” and date back to 2009.

“It started from a minor disciplinary matter and elevated,” he said.

He maintained the first six complaints were initiated in 2009 by the former Area medical services director. Dr Kolos said these concerned alleged poor communication with nurses and patients on his part.

“None of the allegations were substantial,” he said.

“I don’t believe there was professional incompetence involved.

It was merely an allegation but in the eyes of the Medical Council, an allegation is enough.”

He said at the time he had been handling a “very solid” load with often 30 patients on his round.

Dr Kolos said the complaint was not sent to the NSW Medical Council until 2011 when a new CEO joined the then Greater Southern Area Health Service.

Last year, another complaint emerged. An emergency department doctor complained that he was not adequately looking after several patients, he said.

“I was on (night) call but these were not my patients and I did not want to interfere with their care,” Dr Kolos said.

Restrictions imposed

He has been working under conditions imposed by the Medical Council since the investigation started. This involved discussing patient care with a more senior colleague and filing monthly returns on activities. In addition, he could not seek work elsewhere without the Council’s permission.

Dr Kolos said these conditions were “very manageable” and did not hinder his work.

“Dr Kolos was appropriately supervised at all times by a peer specialist physician as required by the Medical Council of NSW,” a Southern NSW Health District (SNSWHD) spokesman said.

The doctor, who has worked in the public health system since qualifying in 1968, said he was disappointed by the Council’s decision to suspend him. It was the first time it had happened, he said. Dr Kolos worked at Liverpool Hospital until 2001 when he came to Goulburn.

He has been a physician for 20 years.

“I think if I had been 50-yearsold they certainly wouldn’t have taken this drastic step,” he said.

“If the allegations had not existed, I could have worked on happily for another year or two. I think they just wanted to close the file.” Dr Kolos was considering an appeal.

The Medical Council says suspension is “an interim and indefinite measure to protect the health or safety of the public pending the outcome of other formal inquiries or investigations or an appeal.”

The Health District declined to comment on Dr Kolos’ resignation, saying it was a personal matter for him. However it confirmed that it had renewed his hospital contract.

This was in September for one year, Dr Kolos confirmed.

He said he did not bear any grudges.

“Unfortunately and regrettably, they (the Health District) cannot be seen to be at odds with the Medical Council,” he said.

“I have no issues with the administration. It is not easy to question a Medical Council decision.

“They are protecting the public and what could be a more positive enterprise than that?”

Dr Kolos’ position has been advertised, with applications closing at the end of this month.