Dr Hatem Soliman – Medical practitioner – Suspension and conditions for professional misconduct

28 February 2022

The Health Care Complaints Commission prosecuted a complaint against medical practitioner Dr Hatem Soliman before the NSW Civil and Administrative Tribunal (‘the Tribunal’).

It was alleged that while working at Armidale Hospital Dr Soliman in 2019 breached professional boundaries with a vulnerable hospital patient in that he:  offered to drive her to Sydney; invited and allowed her to stay in his lodgings, during which time he put his arms around her despite her request to stop; gave her his personal contact details; took down Patient A’s mobile number from her clinical record so that he could make personal contact; repeatedly texted the patient; contacted Patient A after she had left hospital about non-clinical issues; and met her for coffee.   It was also alleged that he failed to assist and educate Patient A to seek appropriate community support.

In February 2022 the Tribunal found Dr Soliman guilty of professional misconduct.  The Tribunal suspended Dr Soliman’s registration for six months, and imposed the following conditions on his registration:

• Dr Soliman only work in a hospital position or approved group practice;
• Dr Soliman only work under Category A supervision;
• Dr Soliman not consult, examine, treat or perform any procedures on any female person;
• Dr Soliman be subject to random audits and inspections of his practice by the Medical Council of NSW.

The full decision can be found here: NSW Caselaw.

Further information

For further information, contact the Executive Officer of the Health Care Complaints Commission, on 02 9219 7444 or send an email to media@hccc.nsw.gov.au.

The information in this media release is correct at the time of publication. Orders may change; for example, conditions may no longer apply.  For current information regarding the status of a registered health practitioner, including any conditions that currently apply, please check the National Register at www.ahpra.gov.au.