A Canberra GP fighting allegations of inappropriate behaviour during a consult with a female patient will have to be chaperoned during his work.

A patient of Dr Mohamad Helmy complained to medical authorities in March this year that he had been "grooming her", and had been physically inappropriate with her.

Dr Helmy denied any suggestions of "grooming" the patient, but said he had kissed her on the cheek after she hugged him.

The Medical Board of Australia decided to place an immediate ban on Dr Helmy treating female patients, or patients under 18, while the complaint was investigated.

The GP appealed the decision in the ACT Civil and Administrative Tribunal (ACAT), seeking to have the ban overturned.

He decided to cease practice after the ban was imposed, citing the "embarrassment and humiliation" of having to explain the restrictions to his patients.

But he told the ACAT he planned to return to practice if the bans were lifted.

He also told the ACAT that between 60 and 80 per cent of his patients were female, and he could no longer treat the majority of his patients.

His lawyers argued there was not enough evidence to find that he posed an immediate and serious risk to patients.

Admitted behaviour warrants chaperone: ACAT

But in its ruling, the ACAT found that even if the allegations were not proven, Dr Helmy's admitted behaviour was serious enough.

"Even if it is the case that the incidents did not occur as alleged, the tribunal is concerned that the practitioner has on his own account behaved inappropriately," it found.

The ACAT also considered two other complaints made against Dr Helmy in the three years prior, one of which was not pursued by the patient with police, and another that was retracted.

It decided to remove the restriction banning him from treating female patients or patients under 18, but replace it with a chaperone requirement.

A Medical Board-approved chaperone will have to attend all consults with such patients, until it makes a ruling on the complaint.

The Medical Board is expected to complete its investigation in October this year.

Dr Helmy is not facing any criminal charges.