‘Doctor’ makes V.D. calls

Press, 29 September 1988, Page 8

‘Doctor’ makes V.D. calls

PA Wellington Staff at Wellington’s Sexually Transmitted Disease Clinic say they are worried that a bogus doctor who has been telling women their husbands have venereal disease could trigger a murder or suicide. ' A clinic spokesman said six women had called the clinic in the last week to make appointments for tests, after a “Doctor Patel” had falsely informed • them their husbands had venereal disease. In each case “Doctor Patel” had told the women he was reading from case notes, and they were required to be examined. The women all said the caller was very convincing. But the spokesman said there was no real Dr Patel making such calls. He said the women were very annoyed and upset. One, before being made aware of the real situation, had complained about the way she was informed. In all such cases, partners of carriers of sexually transmitted diseases would be informed by a visit from a public health nurse, not by telephone, he said. The clinic has referred the caller’s victims to the police to lay complaints.