Dr Hazem Chahoud – Medical Practitioner – Cancellation for Professional Misconduct

8 April 2022

The Health Care Complaints Commission prosecuted a complaint against Dr Hazem Chahoud, a general practitioner who worked in Campbelltown, before the NSW Civil and Administrative Tribunal (‘the Tribunal’).

It was alleged that Dr Chahoud departed from accepted standards of conduct and treatment when :

• In 2018, while working at a general practice in Campbelltown, and treating a young female patient :

• Gave her his home address;   
• During a consultation in September 2018, breached professional boundaries by hugging and attempting to hug her, kissing and attempting to kiss her, and inappropriately touching her back, thighs and knees without any medical purpose; physically forced the patient to stand on weighing scales; and sent text messages to the patient several times breaching professional boundaries;
• During the time he treated the patient, failed to properly manage her complaints of bulimia.

It was also alleged that Dr Chahoud:

• Inappropriately asked his wife to prepare a statement stating that she sent the text messages to the patient, with a view to misleading the Medical Council of NSW.
• Misled the Medical Council and the Commission about his touching of the patient and by denying sending the text messages.

In March 2022 the Tribunal found the complaints proven and that Dr Chahoud was guilty of professional misconduct. Dr Chahoud’s registration was cancelled and the orders prevent him from seeking to have that order lifted for a period of 18 months. 

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 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.