Return
File Number: Med18/416P
Practitioner: Martyn Robert Howells
Hearing Start Date:Hearing End Date:
Hearing Town/City:
Hearing Location:
Charge Characteristics:
Financial gain - inappropriate (Established)
Records - altered/attempt to alter (Established)
Additional Orders:
Name Suppression to Practitioner
Practitioner granted interim suppression of name and identifying features
956Med18416P.pdf
Name Suppression to Complainant and/or Patient and/or client
Patients granted interim suppression of name and identifying features
956Med18416P.pdf
Patients granted permanent suppression of name and identifying features
980Med18416P.pdf
Precis of Decision: Charge
On 17 July 2018 by video conference, the Health Practitioners Disciplinary Tribuanl considered a charge laid by the Professional Conduct Committee against Dr Martyn Howells, Medical Practitioner of Dunedin (the Doctor).
The charge alleged that the Doctor had between 2004 and 2010 altered the medical records of 12 patients resulting in a financial benefit of $3,929 to which his practice was not entitled.
Findings
The hearing proceeded on an agreed summary of facts basis. The Tribunal was satisfied that the charge was established and was made out as misconduct. The Tribunal also noted that the Doctor had repaid the $3,929 in December 2015.
Penalty
The Tribunal censured the Doctor and imposed conditions on his practise for a period of 3 years. The Tribunal ordered the Doctor to pay a contribution of $20,000 towards the total costs of the PCC and $6,000 towards the costs of the Tribunal.