The Health Ombudsman took immediate registration action by imposing conditions on the registration of Sayonne Sivalingam, medical practitioner (MED0002226593), effective 3 January 2024.

Details of the practitioner’s registration, including the full list of imposed conditions, can be viewed on the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency website.

Scope of Practice

The conditions imposed include the requirements the practitioner:

• Must not have contact with female patients with the exception of contact using telehealth platforms.
• Must only practise as a registered health practitioner in employment and at practice location/s approved by the Health Ombudsman and published on the Office of the Health Ombudsman website.
• Must take all reasonable steps to ensure female patients are told at the time of wanting to book an appointment with him – or, in the case of an unbooked appointment, prior to contact with him – that the consultation can only be booked or proceed if the patient or their legal guardian agrees to the entire contact with him being conducted using telehealth platforms only. He must not provide this information to patients personally.

Approved employment and practice locations

The Health Ombudsman has approved the practitioner's employment as a medical practitioner at the following locations:

• Metro North Virtual Ward, Royal Brisbane and Women’s Hospital, Cnr Butterfield Street and Bowen Bridge Road, Herston QLD 4029

Period of action or order

In accordance with section 62(2) of the Health Ombudsman Act 2013 (the Act), the decision will continue to have effect until the earlier of the following happens –

• the Queensland Civil and Administrative Tribunal sets aside the decision;
• the Health Ombudsman removes the conditions under section 65 of the Act.