A Canberra doctor has admitted taking drugs left over from operations for his own personal use, including an opioid used to prevent pain after surgery.
The ACT Civil and Administrative Tribunal heard Dr Michael Adams, a registrar in anaesthetics at Calvary Hospital, took the drugs after shifts at work for several years.
Dr Adams was found in a drugged state in the registrar’s bedroom at the hospital in 2010.
It was discovered he had used Propofol, a drug used to relax patients before and during a general anaesthetic.
Despite an application from the ACT Medical Board, Dr Adams was allowed to keep his registration as a medical practitioner.
In 2013 it was discovered he was using Fentanyl, an opioid used to prevent pain after surgery.
Dr Adams was using the drug daily, and was eventually reported when co-workers noticed he had obtained an ampoule of the drug which was twice the amount required for a procedure.
He delayed a urine test for several days, and avoided a hair test by getting a crew cut, and shaving his underarm and pubic hair.
Dr Adams eventually admitted to the drug use at Calvary Hospital in November 2013.
He was effectively banned from medicine when he gave an undertaking to the Medical Board that he would not practice as a doctor without its approval.
He has not practiced since, but was allowed to keep his registration, which expires in September.
The tribunal found Dr Adams engaged in professional misconduct, and has imposed a series of restrictions on him if he chooses to return to work.
He has been banned from working in anaesthetics for two years, he will be regularly drug tested, and his work will be reviewed by a supervisor every two weeks.