Professional Misconduct case against Dr De Saxe, Psychiatrist
Name: Dr Ian De Saxe
Specialty: Psychiatry. Graduated from the University of Sydney, Dr De Saxe had been practising since 1987.
Practiced at: The Rocks, Sydney; Mosman Private Hospital.
Summary: Engaged in mutual masturbation and penetrative sex with male patient; massaged legs of another patient; made statements that sexual conduct with under-aged children was “okay”. Inappropriate prescribing and self-prescribing; and inadequate record keeping.
Findings: Professional misconduct; registration cancelled for 2 years. Date of order: 29 March 2018.
Case: HCCC v De Saxe [2018] NSWCATOD 45
Facts of Case
The Tribunal found that the practitioner engaged in inappropriate sexual conduct with patient A. Dr de Saxe engaged in mutual masturbation with patient A on two occasions and engaged in penetrative sexual intercourse with patient A on one occasion.
Dr de Saxe prescribed Methadone/Physeptone, a Schedule 8 drug of addiction to patient A in quantities which did not accord with the recognised therapeutic standard for the appropriate treatment in the circumstances. The patient was not the subject of a treatment plan and the practitioner was not an accredited NSW OTP prescriber and accordingly held no authority to prescribe such drugs. The practitioner prescribed patient A other drugs in similar circumstances, namely Alprazolam and Dexamphetamine. The records of such treatment were not maintained.
Patient B, a 27-year-old male was referred to the practitioner for an opinion and management of alcoholism and major depression. During one consultation Dr de Saxe massaged patient B’s legs and asked patient B words the effect: “Do you want me to go any higher?”. The practitioner acknowledged that he was sexually attracted to patient B.
Dr de Saxe treated patient C whilst he was under his care at the Mosman Private Hospital between 16 August 2010 and 15 September 2010. He consulted patient C on at least six occasions between 17 August 2010 and 10 September 2010. He did not communicate with the patient’s former treating psychiatrists or psychologists; nor put a treatment plan in place. Further, the Tribunal found as a fact that Dr de Saxe engaged in inappropriate discussion concerning the patient’s sexuality and desires and made statements to the effect that sexual conduct with under-aged children was “okay”. Not that patient C had been charged with child sex offences involving a 15 year old male.
The Tribunal found, but that Dr de Saxe claimed to have no recollection, that he looked into the patient’s eyes whilst the patient was talking about his sexuality and invited the patient to engage in a sexual act with him by saying to the patient “suck my cock”. The Tribunal found that the patient’s version of events was correct in respect of the words used by Dr de Saxe to the patient concerning the writing of a report that was required to be used in pending court proceedings involving the patient.
The Tribunal also found that Dr de Saxe stated words the effect that he was willing to lie for the patient in respect of the report. He also failed to keep adequate records of his treatment for patient C. He failed to prepare a comprehensive admissions assessment and treatment plan; to record sufficient corroborative information from other mental health practitioners; to record specific information concerning treatment during admission and to record sufficient detail in the progress notes and discharge summary.
The Tribunal also found that between 7 April 2010 and 28 October 2014, Dr de Saxe inappropriately self-prescribed medication including Schedule 4D prescribed restricted substances.
News Articles for further reading:
Sydney psychiatrist banned for 2 years (news.com.au)
“Sydney psychiatrist suspended over telling an accused paedophile having sex with an underage boy ‘wasn’t that bad’ and that he was ‘willing to lie for him’ after asking him for oral sex”, dailymail.co.uk
Banned Psychiatrist starting another career: “The tribunal heard that Dr de Saxe was attracted to young men and had moved his practice away from ‘the sort of risky type’. Since being suspended from practising medicine, he had started a course to teach English as a second language and told the tribunal he thought it would ‘be helpful to be able to test his boundaries around students’, despite acknowledging that being around young men was a ‘potential risk’.” Source: ABC news.