Page Section: Centre Content Column

Director of Proceedings v Jury - Psychologist

Health Practitioners Disciplinary Tribunal, Psy09/130

The Health Practitioners Disciplinary Tribunal found Ms Susan Jury, a psychologist, guilty of professional misconduct. Ms Jury did not attend the Tribunal's hearing.

Ms Jury faced a charge of professional misconduct comprising a number of particulars and sub particulars which cumulatively alleged that she failed to maintain appropriate professional boundaries with a client and provided misleading and inaccurate information about the relationship to her employer DHB, and to the Health and Disability Commissioner.

Mr W was referred to Ms Jury after a period of acute in-patient care following attempted suicide. He faced a number of stresses in his life, was diagnosed with bi-polar disorder, was depressed, at risk of suicide, had problems with anger, violence, and alcohol, and was experiencing relationship difficulties including with his wife, towards whom he had been violent.

Within months of her first consultation with Mr W, Ms Jury entered into an inappropriate relationship with him. The charge alleged a number of particulars including that she disclosed her own personal health concerns, went drinking with him at licensed premises, and permitted him to stay overnight or reside at her home. The charge also alleged that she used him for her personal benefit by having him undertake work around her property and help her son to purchase a car, and allowing him to pay her to store personal items at her home.

The Tribunal considered that Ms Jury's actions had a significant impact on Mr W's care, put him and members of his family at risk, and represented a significant failure to comply with professional obligations owed to the proper authorities.

The Director also alleged that Ms Jury had entered into a sexual relationship, but this was not upheld by the Tribunal as there was insufficient evidence. However, the Tribunal did uphold that she had entered into an inappropriate relationship and upheld all other particulars.

The Tribunal cancelled Ms Jury's registration, censured her and ordered that in the event that she reapply for registration she undertake training to the satisfaction of the Psychologist Board on appropriate professional boundaries, the dynamics of violent relationships, the Code of Ethics, the need for supervision and candour in supervision. She was censured, fined $5000 and ordered to pay costs of $18,000.

The Tribunal's decision can be found at: http://www.hpdt.org.nz/Default.aspx?tabid=245