Doctor no longer has hospital privileges

A physician at Caritas St. Elizabeth’s Medical Center who has a history of drunken driving no longer has medical staff privileges, hospital officials said yesterday.

Dr. Robert Mark Caulkins allegedly arrived drunk at the hospital for surgery, according to the Associated Press.

Last night, hospital officials would not confirm the allegations, saying they would not discuss personnel issues in public. But they released a statement noting Caulkins

‘‘does not have medical staff privileges at this time.’’

The male patient was not at risk, because surgery had not begun, the AP reported.

Caulkins could not be reached last night.

Caulkins, an orthopedic surgeon, has faced drunken driving charges three times, according to the website of the Massachusetts Board of Registration in Medicine. Board officials also could not be reached.

In February 1999, after his second offense, a judge in Marlborough District Court sentenced Caulkins to 90 days in jail, suspended for two years, according to the registration board.

In June 2000, after his third offense, a judge in Westborough District Court sentenced him to six months in jail.

The board also punished Caulkins.

In July 2001, the board suspended him and fined him $7,500. His suspension and fine were later stayed, subject to meeting the terms of his probation.

The board’s website said Caulkins had not been subject to any hospital disciplines in the past 10 years.