Still ‘Dr’ Skantha pending inquiries
Convicted murderer Venod Skantha is still a registered doctor, and will remain so until an investigation is complete.
The 32-year-old Dunedin doctor was convicted in the High Court at Dunedin on Wednesday of murdering 16-year-old AmberRose Rush, and four charges of threatening to kill.
But his role as a doctor is also under scrutiny, with the Medical Council of New Zealand confirming an investigation on his fitness to practice will resume.
Chief executive Joan Simeon said Skantha had not able to work as a doctor since February 28 last year.
Amber-Rose’s body was found by her mother, Lisa-Ann Rush, on the morning of February 3. Skantha was taken into custody the following day.
Simeon said the Medical Council took the allegations ‘‘very seriously’’. A professional conduct committee investigation was put on hold due to the trial.
That committee would resume its investigation immediately, she said.
One option available to the committee is to file a charge in the Health Practitioners Disciplinary Tribunal.
Simeon confirmed that Skantha was entitled to call himself ‘‘doctor’’ until the tribunal made its decision.
Southern DHB chief medical officer Dr Nigel Millar, who declined an interview request, told Stuff said it was an ‘‘awful tragedy’’ and the board’s thoughts were with Amber-Rose’s family.
Skantha had been on a final warning at Dunedin Hospital.
During the four-week long trial, the court heard from Millar about Skantha’s employment history.
He told the court Skantha was first employed by the DHB on May 24, 2016. He initially worked in Invercargill, before being transferred to Dunedin Hospital on May 22, 2017.
But that employment was soon in trouble with Skantha turning up to work under the influence of alcohol and then lying about his mother’s death to escape being sacked.
After waiting for his supervisor he went to the orthopaedic ward, where he allegedly flushed an IV from a patient, dating it with the previous day.
The patient described him as acting strangely, and asked him if it was normal saline he was using.
Skantha was allegedly under the influence of alcohol, claiming he had two beers at lunch, Millar told the court.
In his draft finding, Millar recommended Skantha’s employment be terminated.
Skantha will be sentenced in March.