From: "Jeff Green" <[log in to unmask]>
Sent: Wednesday, September 01, 2004 1:12 AM
> Maybe the GMC has a case to answer for for not being psychic at the time
that case was brought? OOer - how about making them
> scapegoats ;-)
Someone has thought of that already.
One of the doctors involved on the radio this morning said Dr S was signing
these patients off as terminally ill and giving them misleading histories.
She said she supposed that if they had talked to relatives they would have
found this was not true. Do we know what the issue is before the GMC? The
question may be about accurate certification of discussions / examinations
etc.
The GMC doesn't have a lot of choice as to whether to investigate a case
once someone asks it to and presents evidence unless the evidence is plainly
unbelievable.
My concern is not with the public yak-fest which will be a recurring
spectacle like Bristol, but with the personal effect on individual doctors
of all this stress. Whether they have or haven't committed SPM this is
disproportionate to what appears to be the allegations. And yes, the delay
means there is a real human rights issue - a case has been thrown out at
the GMC for this very reason. So let's not encourage these docs to adopt a
victim mentality which is so injurious when our patients do it. Calm
positivist and constructive best wishes would be a better bet. I dare say
that a personal letter of professional peer support for what they are going
through, addressed to the practice would go further to help them than 1,000
words of angry yak on a website.
Remember the GMC has not made a finding of SPM, it has done the equivalent
of sending the case for trial. There is a presumption of innocence and it is
up to the lawyers to prove the case. The whole thing is exactly as in the
courts and is no likely than the courts to be subject to the political whims
of HMG seeking scapegoats. The doctor also has the benefit of having a jury
containing other doctors and hence there is a legitimate medical
perspective.
DOI - I am a member and chair of GMC fitness to practise panels though I
only sit on Health.
--
Fay
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