A psychiatrist who was jailed for indecently assaulting four women he was treating for eating disorders at Sydney's Northside Clinic can apply to return to practicing medicine in five years.

Dr Ong Ming Tan, who was released on parole in March, was struck off the medical registration system for five years on Friday after a NSW tribunal found his bipolar disorder and narcissistic personality disorder made him unfit to practice for "the foreseeable future".

However, for at least one of Tan's former patients - the young woman who was the first to report him to the HCCC almost five years ago - the verdict has been met with "mixed feelings".

Describing the legal process as "almost cruel" in its drawn-out crawl to a conclusion, Jessica* said her "relief at having it all over and done with" was tempered with concern that Tan may one day apply to have his registration restored.