Doctor cleared to practice despite rape conviction

An orthopaedic surgeon, who was jailed 25 years ago in the United States for rape, has been cleared by the Queensland Medical Board to practice in the state.

New Zealander Eugene Sherry had been convicted of raping a nurse in the United States in the early 1980s and spent six months in jail.

He then re-established himself in Australia, working in New South Wales and Queensland hospitals before moving to Rockhampton, where he started work in July.

It was revealed during the state election campaign in August that Dr Sherry had not told any Australian medical boards about his conviction. He was stood down.

The Queensland Medical Board has announced its members have decided there us no lawful reason Dr Sherry's registration should be cancelled, saying he had been fully rehabilitated after his 25-year-old conviction.

A spokesman for the Rockhampton Hospital says Dr Sherry will not continue his contract there because of the adverse publicity surrounding the matter.

A spokesman for the Queensland Health Minister, Stephen Robertson, says he believes the Medical Board's handling of the case is appropriate.