The Medical Board of Australia gave a 3.5-month suspension to Dr Panduranga Mallikarjun Rapuri after he admitted to professional misconduct between late 2023 and early 2024.
He repeatedly harassed a nurse, trying to get her to go out with him.
She asked him many times to stop – but he did not.
Because Rapuri is the only inpatient psychiatrist at a regional Western Australia location, he scored himself a walk in the park instead of punishment.
After his three-and-a-half month holiday he will have conditions imposed on his practice.
The medical board said it did not seek a longer suspension for the doctor because of the shortage of psychiatrists in the region.
“He is currently the sole psychiatrist responsible for the inpatient care of mental health patients in the region and directly supervises two junior trainees,” the State Administrative Tribunal (SAT) notes say.
“He has skills of value to the community, is committed to developing psychiatric services in the region, and has the support of senior work colleagues.”
He was also excused because he “made an error of judgement”, had expressed remorse and was treated by a psychologist to manage his mental health.
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