SA surgeon cleared of slapping nurse

A leading South Australian surgeon has been cleared of wrongdoing after allegations she slapped a nurse in front of a patient.

Margaret Davy, the head of surgery at the Royal Adelaide Hospital, was alleged to have hit the nurse on the head in October last year.

SA Health says an internal investigation by the Adelaide local health network's director of surgery, Guy Maddern, has cleared Professor Davy of any wrongdoing.

"As part of the investigation, witness statements were taken from those people who

were present at the time the incident allegedly occurred," chief executive David Swan said on Friday.

"Professor Maddern has advised that he did not find evidence of any wrongdoing and the allegation of misconduct was not able to be substantiated.

"All parties have been made aware of the outcome of the investigation and the matter has now been closed."

Prof Davy, who strongly denied any misconduct when the allegations came to light in January, is understood to be on long-service leave.

In 2002, Prof Davy was awarded the Order of Australia (AM) for services to women's health.