05/01/2008 00:00:00
UK: More Mistakes By Pathologist
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A consultant pathologist who admitted professional misconduct over two
bungled post-mortem examinations is facing new allegations.
Dr Louay Al-Alousi, of the University of Leicester, admitted making
serious mistakes in the cases of two teenagers, saying their deaths were
due to cannabis use when that was not the case.
He now faces allegations of mistakes in another seven examinations - one
of which involved a murder victim - including one of a "grossly
inadequate post-mortem examination" and errors while supervising a
trainee pathologist.
Dr Al-Alousi denies all the new allegations.
The Home Office pathologist had restrictions imposed on his ability to
practice in January last year after he admitted professional misconduct
before the General Medical Council (GMC) over the cannabis cases.
He appeared at a review hearing of those restrictions yesterday.
The panel ruled they should remain.
It was also revealed at the hearing that since July, Dr Al-Alousi has
been restricted to research and teaching work at the university.
The panel was told he agreed to a proposal to limit his work made by
university vice-chancellor Prof Bob Burgess.
The new allegations are being investigated by the university and
National Policing Improvement Agency.
Dr Al-Alousi has worked on cases including that of Earl Shilton woman
Joanne Butler, who was murdered by a man and his 13-year-old son.
Last year's GMC hearing was sparked by the refusal of Paul and Joanne
Burgess, of Leicester Forest East, to accept Dr Al-Alousi's finding in
relation to their son, James.
The couple enlisted their own pathologist, while a coroner had a third
expert examine James. Both agreed his death was due to an unsuspected
heart condition.
The same conclusion was reached for the other teenager.
Since restrictions were imposed, Dr Al-Alousi's supervisor, Prof Guy
Rutty, has made fresh complaints against him relating to six autopsies,
including "incorrect conclusions as to the cause of death". The other
complaint followed work at the University of Dundee.
Hugh Lloyd, defending, said Dr Al-Alousi had made a "substantial"
complaint against Prof Rutty.
He did not submit that Dr Al-Alousi's fitness to practice was no longer
impaired.
Prof Kevin Dalton, chairman of the GMC panel, said: "The panel considers
the allegations against you relating to issues of your clinical
competence are serious (and) has found your fitness to practice is
impaired."
The panel said it was unlikely he would be considered fit to practice
without restrictions while the new allegations were investigated.
It ruled the restrictions should remain for two years. Dr Al-Alousi has
28 days to appeal.
http://www.thisisleicestershire.co.uk/
Source:
http://www.ukcia.org/news/shownewsarticle.php?articleid=13106
Author:
Leicester Mercury via UKCIA
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