PRIORY DOCTOR IN 'SEX ACT WITH PATIENT' QUIZ

0 Comments | Sunday Mirror, Jan 26, 2003 | by EXCLUSIVE by TERRY O'HANLON

A TOP psychiatrist who has treated members of the Royal Family and a host of celebrities is facing a sexual misconduct probe.

Dr Mark Collins - whose former patients included Princess Margaret, Kate Moss, Paula Yates and her lover Michael Hutchence - has been accused of engaging in a sex act with a female patient at the pounds 500-a-day Priory clinic.

The married doctor will face the General Medical Council (GMC) over the allegations next month.

The hearing follows a complaint by a woman who cannot be named for legal reasons.

She was treated by Dr Collins, the associate medical director at the prest- igious clinic in Roehampton, South West London, in 1994.

It is claimed that Dr Collins began an "inappropriate" relationship with the woman after she was referred to him by her GP for psychiatric care.

He is also accused of suggesting a further sex act during a phone conversation.

And he faces allegations that he agreed to see the woman outside the clinic - a breach of strict regulations if proved.

In one interview about the Priory, Dr Collins said: "We provide a safe, pleasant and very secluded place for people to be treated."

A specialist in addictive disorders, he has treated Royals and a string of celebrities since he entered private practice in 1993.

Two years ago he treated Princess Margaret for bouts of depression.

Between 1995 and 2000 he was the psychiatrist helping disgraced peer the Marquess of Blandford, 46, who has a long history of drug use.

In 1998 Dr Collins treated Kate Moss when she checked into the Priory suffering from exhaustion.

A year earlier he was consulted by INXS star Michael Hutchence shortly before his mysterious death in an Australian hotel room.

He has also treated Mrs Merton star Caroline Aherne, 38, who entered the Priory in 1998 after trying to kill herself with drink and pills.

Dr Collins lives with his wife Rosamand in a pounds 600,000 house in Putney, South West London. After qualifying as a doctor in 1978, Dr Collins switched to psychiatry in 1984.

Last night a GMC spokeswoman said: "I can confirm that Dr Mark Collins will appear before our professional conduct committee on February 24.

Dr Collins added later: "I have to say no comment. It's the only thing I'm allowed to say. Obviously there is a lot that I would like to say. But there are issues of patient confidentiality here."