A banned Australian doctor was arrested on 17 charges of sexual assault and genital mutilation against 10 women patients.

Graeme Reeves, 58, was banned from practising medicine in 1997, but continued operating obstetrics in a Sydney hospital and another country hospital between 2001 and 2003.

Police said Reeves was arrested in Sydney and charged with nine counts of aggravated sexual assault, six counts of indecent assault, one count of female genital mutilation and one count of maliciously inflicting grievous bodily harm.

"Today's arrest marks the first phase in this lengthy and complex investigation and inquiries are ongoing," police superintendent John Kerlatec told reporters.

Police said they had investigated 113 allegations of patient misconduct and more charges could follow.

Kerlatec praised the courage of Reeves's former patients for coming forward with their allegations of misconduct.

"We were extremely encouraged throughout this whole matter by the strength displayed by these women. It's been a very traumatic experience for them and it's taken a great deal of courage for them to come forward," he said.

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