Medical watchdog launches formal investigation into conduct of Rabbitohs club doctor
The NSW medical watchdog has begun formal inquiries after receiving a complaint about the conduct of Rabbitohs club doctor Dr Andrew McDonald, following allegations levelled against him last week.
The Australian newspaper published an article last week which outlined a number of serious allegations of drug use and domestic violence against Sam Burgess.
In the report, Dr McDonald was accused of allegedly treating Burgess during a drug-fuelled episode in 2018 by injecting him with liquid tranquilliser.
Dr McDonald was also accused of obtaining the tranquilliser through a prescription allegedly written in the name of Mitchell Hooke's, Phoebe Burgess' father.
"We have a formal complaint and have commenced inquiries to gather details of the specific allegations and all associated evidence," a spokeswoman for the Health Care Complaints Commission said. "This will enable us to determine what is alleged to have occurred and what further action is required."
The complaint was launched by the watchdog Commissioner Sue Dawson herself after conducting initial inquires into the allegations.
“The Commission has an active “own motion” complaint which allows the Commission to examine all of the allegations raised and the role and actions of any health service providers who may be involved," the spokeswoman said.
This motion sees Ms Dawson become the complainant herself and allows the HCCC to commence a full assessment of the allegations.
The HCCC now have a 60-day window to assess the complaint before making a determination on what further action will be taken.
If the HCCC decide to proceed with the investigation, the estimated timeframe is one to two years before a determination is made.
The Medical Board of NSW will make a call on whether Dr McDonald will be suspended or will need to practise under supervision while the HCCC investigation is underway.
On Tuesday, the medical watchdog said they had commenced "initial" inquiries but had not yet received an official complaint.
With a formal complaint now lodged, the NRL said they will now work in with the HCCC as well as the NSW Police.
The NRL also said the complaint did not change their current stance on Dr McDonald and he would still be allowed to work for the club.
Dr McDonald declined to comment when contacted by the Herald on Thursday.
The Rabbitohs said Dr McDonald would still remain as an independent contractor to the club in his role as Chief Medical Officer, despite the complaint.
The HCCC will also investigate the role of a GP who was left unnamed in the Australian's report.
In Phoebe Burgess' statement to police, as reported by the Australian, she alleged she drove her then-husband to an underground carpark in Sydney’s southeast on November 7 in 2018 to have private urine and blood tests taken.
She alleged she was told the GP who took Sam’s blood and urine samples would file the pathology results under the alias Ben Smith.
NSW Police and the NRL integrity unit have launched separate investigations into the allegations.
Burgess has stood down from his role as a coaching assistant with the Rabbitohs while the investigations are ongoing.
Sarah is a journalist for The Sydney Morning Herald.