Psychiatrist reprimanded for unsatisfactory professional performance

26 Feb 2015

The Queensland Civil and Administrative Tribunal has reprimanded Dr Zoran Radovic for unsatisfactory professional performance as a psychiatrist.

In November 2013, the Medical Board of Australia convened a Performance and Professional Standards Panel hearing about Dr Radovic’s care of a patient at the Sunshine Coast Private Hospital in 2011.

The panel alleged that Dr Radovic had failed to diagnose the patient with a psychotic-spectrum disorder, and as a result did not commence anti-psychotic medication. The Board also alleged that Dr Radovic’s clinical notes did not meet the requirements set out in the Code of Conduct.

At the time, Dr Radovic held limited registration to practise as a psychiatrist in an area of need. Dr Radovic did not apply to renew his registration, and therefore it expired.

The panel handed down its decision in February 2014, and found that Dr Radovic had demonstrated unsatisfactory professional performance. The panel imposed ‘prospective’ conditions that would apply to his registration if this was granted in future in Australia.

In March 2014, Dr Radovic applied to the Queensland Civil and Administrative Tribunal for a review of the panel decision. He sought to have the finding of unsatisfactory professional performance set aside and replaced with a reprimand. Dr Radovic also sought less onerous conditions in the event he was re-registered in the future.

In May 2014, Dr Radovic withdrew his application to have the finding reviewed, but maintained his application to the tribunal to review the prospective conditions imposed by the panel.

At the hearing when the tribunal reviewed the panel decision, Dr Radovic admitted unsatisfactory professional performance and the allegations made by the Medical Board of Australia.

However, the tribunal found that the panel did not have the power to impose conditions on Dr Radovic’s future registration, as a panel can only impose conditions on a registrant’s existing registration.

The tribunal set aside the panel’s decision to impose conditions on Dr Radovic’s registration, and reprimanded him for unsatisfactory professional performance.

The reasons for the decision are on the AustLII website.

For more information

• Lodge an online enquiry form
• For registration enquiries: 1300 419 495 (within Australia) +61 3 9275 9009 (overseas callers)
• For media enquiries: (03) 8708 9200 

Download a copy of this Media release - Psychiatrist reprimanded for unsatisfactory professional performance - 26 February 2015 (114 KB,PDF)