GMC v Dr U

Claire Stevenson successfully represented Dr U before the Medical Practitioners Tribunal Service (‘MPTS’) who found that Dr U’s fitness to practise is no longer impaired. The MPTS revoked the order of suspension on Dr U’s registration with immediate effect.

In June 2021, at the previous hearing, the MPTS found that Dr U has been convicted, by another country, of death by negligence and reckless behaviour and sentenced to one year in prison which was suspended. The MPTS also found that Dr U did not declare his conviction whilst in the UK on the following three occasions: 1) when registering with the General Medical Council; 2) when registering as a locum with National Locums; and 3) during an appraisal with his UK employer.

As a result of not declaring his conviction, the MPTS found that Dr U had been dishonest on those three occasions.

With regards to the conviction, the MPTS determined that two of the essential elements for an offence of gross negligence manslaughter were absent from the offence for which Dr U was convicted. Accordingly, the offence, if committed in England and Wales, would not constitute a criminal offence. Therefore, the MPTS determined that Dr U was not impaired by reason of his conviction.

The MPTS was of the view that Dr U’s actions constituted departures from good medical practice guidance as identified, and that in being dishonest, he had breached one of the fundamental tenets of the profession. The MPTS considered that Dr U’s conduct fell far short of the standards of conduct reasonably to be expected of a doctor and therefore amounted to serious misconduct.

Dr U was found to be impaired by reason of misconduct and a four-month period of suspension was considered appropriate and necessary.

During the review proceedings, Claire Stevenson successfully represented Dr U.

The MPTS found that Dr U’s fitness to practise is no longer impaired. The order of suspension on Dr U’s registration was revoked with immediate effect.