Charge

On 29 May 2019, the Health Practitioners Disciplinary Tribunal (the Tribunal) considered a charge laid by a Professional Conduct Committee against Dr Samuel John Simpson Wilson, medical practitioner of Nelson (the Doctor).

The Doctor was convicted in the District Court on eight charges of making an intimate visual recording. He was sentenced to seven months home detention. The charge concerned the use by the Doctor of a covert camera disguised as a door opener and attached to his car keys.  He used the camera at his home and in his workplace.

The charge alleged the convictions brought or were likely to bring discredit to the medical profession and/or reflected adversely on the Doctor’s fitness to practise.

Background

The covert camera was placed in the bathroom area of at the Doctor’s home and was positioned to record people using the toilet. Two female visitors were filmed entering the bathroom, using the toilet and removing clothing.

At his workplace, the Doctor placed the covert camera in the female changing room and inside a female toilet. Nine females using the facilities were filmed. On the final occasion, the Doctor held the covert camera in his hand while sitting next to a female colleague. He filmed her exposed legs and manipulated the camera to record up her skirt in between her legs while continuing a conversation with her.

The Doctor accepted the charge brought against him.

Finding

The Tribunal was completely satisfied the charge was established and his conduct brought discredit to the medical profession and reflected adversely on his fitness to practise. 

Penalty

The Tribunal ordered the Doctor:

• be censured;
• be suspended for one year;
• have conditions imposed on his practice for a period of three years; and
• pay costs of $4,200.00