Dr Goel has been a psychiatrist for nearly 60 years, including more than 30 years in the Armed Forces Medical Services in India, working for the World Health Organization and was a consultant psychiatrist at Southland Hospital since 2005. At the hearing, Dr Goel apologised to his former patients and their families and acknowledged his communications were not appropriate. Another patient who was under the care of Dr Goel between 2016 and 2019 was described by the psychiatrist as bursting into ‘‘rather melodramatic tears’’. In a recording of an assessment of the patient, Dr Goel was asked if he was going to send the patient home to die. Dr Goel had participated in an educational programme after an HDC investigation, which concluded in 2021.

Source: Otago Daily Times April 08, 2026 17:35 UTC