Psych Observer – Exposing Bad Psychiatry

Mex Cooper | june 18, 2008 – 5:35PM

A Melbourne psychiatrist twice banned for making sexual advances on female patients is fighting to regain his medical registration.

Alfred Harold Leitmanis was struck off the medical register in January 2004 after he allegedly told a patient he dreamed of having sex with her and took her to his house where he tried to kiss her.

Dr Leitmanis had told the woman’s GP he believed she suffered from low self-esteem and sought approval through sexual relationships after she was referred to him in April 2002.

The patient told a hearing of the Medical Practitioners Board of Victoria she developed a crush on Dr Leitmanis and after she told him of her feelings, he had made sexually suggestive remarks towards her.

She said that when his wife and children were on a skiing holiday, Dr Leitmanis had asked her to meet him at the Botanical Gardens for a walk, then drove her to his East Malvern home.

The woman, who cannot be named, told the hearing Dr Leitmanis had commented on her breasts, put his arms around her hips, and attempted to kiss her before she demanded to be taken home.

The board found Dr Leitmanis had “taken advantage of the doctor/patient relationship for his own sexual gratification” and engaged in unprofessional conduct of a serious nature.

His registration was disqualified and he was barred from applying for medical registration for two years.

In 2001, Dr Leitmanis’ registration was suspended for six months after he was found to have engaged in unprofessional conduct involving sexual behaviour with a female patient.

In both cases, Dr Leitmanis denied the accusations against him.

The board has since rejected two applications by Dr Leitmanis to re-register, most recently in March this year.

A board spokeswoman confirmed Dr Leitmanis was appealing the decision in the Victorian Civil Administrative Tribunal (VCAT).

The case will be heard in VCAT at a future date.

URL: http://www.theage.com.au/national/banned-psychiatrist-appeals-board-ruling-20080617-2s38.html