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EIGHT DOCTORS HAD their registration cancelled in 2011 as a result of inquiries by the Fitness to Practice Committee, according to the latest report from the Medical Council.
The report also reveals that there was a five per cent increase in new complaints made against doctors last year, when compared to 2010.
Around 32 complaints a month were handled by the Preliminary Proceedings Committee, and a total of 380 were received throughout the year.
Of 37 complaints referred to the Fitness to Practice Committee, eight doctors had their registration cancelled, conditions were imposed on six and fifteen were either advised, admonished or censured.
Twelve of those doctors who were the subjects of FTPC inquiries were found guilty of professional misconduct, while nine were found guilty of poor professional performance.
Of the 32 doctors who were referred to the Health Sub-Committee – which was established to support doctors with medical disabilities and those who are undergoing medical treatment – four of the referrals were alcohol related, 8 were alcohol and drug related, 9 were related to drugs only and 10 were related to mental disability.
Other referrals were for neurological disorder and hepatitis/drug misuse.
Chief executive officer of the Medical Council Caroline Spillane said that in 2011 a review of procedures was undertaken and a number of recommendations implemented to improve the council’s handling of complaints about doctors.
President of the Medical Council Professor Kieran Murphy told Radio One’s Morning Ireland this morning that the five per cent increase in complaints represents an increase in awareness of the role of the Medical Council.
A large number of complaints are in relation to treatment and professional standards, but can also relate to issues like advertising and alcohol misuse.
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I have been down this road a couple of years ago with 5 others who submitted a complaint to the Medical Council for professional misconduct.
This was an unbelievable experience.
The doctor under invstigation had the full support of the Medical Defence Union.
This organisation has unlimited financial resources in defending rogue doctors and the Medical Council had to surrender.
The investigation was closed.
In many instances the Medical Council is a dog without teeth.
What was the case? Link to article or it never happened.
Stadler.
You wish to find out who this doctor was?
No, just the circumstances so that I may take your first comment in context and have an objective opinion.
Stadler.
I assume that you are affiliated to either the Medical Defence Union, Medical Council or possibly the doctor in question.
The following pointers should enable you to find out who the doctor in question is.
The complaint as far as I can remember originated in 2002.
In 2003 the Medical Council deemed fit to make this a prima facie case as 6 individuals put in an official complaint.
All complaints originated in family law. ( section 47 ).
Said doctor acted as an advisor to the courts as to who should be awarded custody.
This doctor is a female psychiatrist based in Dublin.
In the event that you need the above verified, just get in touch with the Medical Council.
Negative in all fronts. I’m studying law so am always interested in any articles on big cases. I remember hearing on the news about a case being struck out of the high court around 2003 or 2004 involving a psychiatrist but I thought it was more to do with a technicality than the Medical Defence Union or the Medical Council. Was pursued using the wrong article of law. Alleged bias by a supposedly objective assessor or something. Perhaps I’m thinking of the wrong one. The reason I asked for clarification is because there is a tendency on the Journal to make downtrodden statements like yours above, slating the ‘establishment’ but a lot of folks don’t back them up with any linked articles. That’s all. I don’t have any vested interest beyond academic interest. Sounds like you went through a tough experience if it is the case I am thinking of. I use a pseudonym because I was getting trolled a lot after disagreeing with someone on here a while back.
Hi Stadler.
You stumbled across the right case.
I spent 4 years in the High Court because of this psychiatrist.
I do agree with you Stadler. You can get help using http://www.medicassistancescheme.co.uk/
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