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20 Nov 2015
The State Administrative Tribunal of Western Australia (SAT) has reprimanded, fined and ordered conditions to be imposed on the registration of Dr Ross Jose a general practitioner.
The Tribunal found he engaged in unsatisfactory professional performance for his care of a 23-year old patient at the birth of her first child, who was still-born.
The SAT approved the mediated settlement between the Medical Board of Australia and Dr Jose.
The Board alleged, and Dr Jose conceded, that the doctor had failed to adequately interpret a CTG (scan), contact a specialist obstetrician to review the patient, attend the hospital to review the scan he ordered, complete an adequate handover and maintain adequate clinical notes.
An autopsy did not identify the cause of the baby’s death.
Dr Jose had managed the patient who was 40 weeks and 3 days pregnant during her pregnancy and when she presented to Rockingham General Hospital (Hospital) on 6 November 2014. A midwife reviewed the patient, who complained of reduced fetal movements and irregular movements, and arranged a CT scan which showed decelerating fetal heart-rate. Dr Jose liaised with midwives over the course of the afternoon. The midwives reported concerns about the results of scans and asked him to urgently review the patient in person.
Dr Jose admitted that he engaged in unsatisfactory professional performance. Reflecting the mediated settlement, the tribunal reprimanded Dr Jose, fined him $2,000, and ordered conditions be imposed on Dr Jose’s registration in relation to indirect supervision and further education. Dr Jose agreed to pay the Board $17,000 in costs.
The tribunal decision is published on the SAT website.