Dr Yolande Lucire – Psychiatrist – Unsatisfactory Professional Conduct and Professional Misconduct

8 July 2022

The Health Care Complaints Commission prosecuted a complaint against psychiatrist Dr Yolande Lucire before the NSW Civil and Administrative Tribunal (‘the Tribunal’).

It was alleged that from 2016 to 2017, while working in Sydney, Dr Lucire inappropriately cared for and treated Patient A, a woman who had just been discharged from a mental health unit, including by:

• ceasing her discharge medications without adequate inquiry from her previous treating practitioners
• forming the view that Patient A was not and had never suffered certain illnesses without adequate due diligence
• diagnosing her as having suffered thyrotoxicosis while in hospital without adequate evidence
• communicating with Patient A and her daughter including about her daughter’s influence on her and offering financial assistance to Patient A
• involving herself in Patient A’s financial and legal affairs
• allowing Patient A to stay overnight at her house after she absconded from hospital leave, and not notifying the Police or hospital about Patient A’s whereabouts

It was also alleged that on 13 October 2017 Dr Lucire inappropriately prescribed and wrote an inappropriate prescription for Ketamine for Patient B, including where she had never prescribed it before, did not conduct adequate due diligence beforehand, and was prescribing it ‘off-label’.  Dr Lucire requested the maximum amount in the prescription and was unsure about how it would be administered.

In its decision of 6 July 2022, the Tribunal found a majority of the complaints proven, other than certain allegations surrounding Patient A’s daughter, assessing Patient A when she stayed overnight at Dr Lucire’s house and concerning Dr Lucire’s role as an expert witness. The Tribunal found that Dr Lucire was guilty of unsatisfactory professional conduct and professional misconduct.

The Tribunal will determine protective orders following a further (Stage 2) hearing.

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.