PIESSE

Disciplinary Action against Dr. John Warren Piesse

In 2000 and 2001, Medicare Australia became concerned about the billing patterns of Dr. John W. Piesse a general practitioner who practices at the Natural Healing Centre in Mitcham, Victoria. As noted below, the resultant Professional Services Review (PSR) committee concluded that he had (a) billed for too many long and prolonged consultations, (b) ordered inappropriate laboratory tests, and endangered patients by failing to appropriately investigate patient symptoms of possibly serious conditions (such as cancer, meningitis, depression, anemia), and (c) using multiple doses of B-vitamin injections from vials intended for single use. In 2004, the Medical Practitioners Board of Victoria directed that Piesse receive a reprimanded, be counseled, repay Medicare benefits totaling A$18,179, and be disqualified for 18 months from all group A1 services. The …