GP suspended over cover-up scandal
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A GP who tried to cover-up a mistake in which he failed to ensure a now dying garda got further treatment for a cancerous mole, was suspended for three months yesterday.
An Irish Medical Council (IMC) fitness-to-practise hearing recommended the suspension of Dr Pat Lee (45) and said he should work for a period of two years afterwards under strict supervision.
The fitness-to-practise (FTP) report found Dr Lee guilty of two counts of poor professional performance and eight counts of professional misconduct.
The recommended sanctions follow a harrowing hearing last week in which it emerged that Dr Lee's patient, Supt Martin Dorney (50), had been diagnosed with malignant melanoma and was given nine months to live earlier this year.
In a hard-hitting summary, the FTP report ruled: "Dr Lee's behaviour falls seriously short of the standards expected of a medical practitioner. His dishonesty, deliberate deception and persistent attempts to avoid taking responsibility for his (failure to) carefully and comprehensively read and follow-up Mr Dorney's histology report, in 2003, constitutes disgraceful and dishonourable conduct."
But the committee said they believe Dr Lee regretted and had great remorse for his error.
"The committee is satisfied that Dr Lee now fully acknowledges and takes responsibility for his error and the extremely serious impact it had on Mr Dorney. Dr Lee has expressed deep and sincere regret and guilt for his failure and has apologised to Mr Dorney and his family for his error and subsequent actions."
The IMC must now decide whether to formally adopt the recommended sanctions.
If the council ratifies the report, Dr Lee will have his license suspended for three months -- and will then operate for two years under the supervision of a senior colleague.
A total of 11 sanction conditions were recommended by the FTP including an audit of all the doctor's referrals, further training and revised practice protocols.
Dr Lee (45) removed a mole from the leg of Supt Dorney (50) in August 2003, but later missed a lab recommendation that the wider area around the mole be excised.
Father-of-three Supt Dorney was diagnosed with malignant melanoma in March 2009. Despite aggressive treatment, was given around nine months to live earlier this year.
The IMC hearing heard that extensive patient files may now have to be reviewed as a precaution in light of the doctor's mistake.
A key factor in the deliberations was Dr Lee's admission that he panicked when he realised his mistake last year and attempted a cover-up, by altering the original lab report to "dilute the blame".
The GP runs a 10,000-patient practice in Ballincollig, Co Cork and became a member of the Irish College of General Practitioners in 1992.
Supt Dorney, a former juvenile GAA star, was told earlier this year that the cancer had spread throughout his body.
He now has cancer in his lymphatic system, stomach, back, pancreas, kidneys and lungs. The Tipperary-born garda said his family is "staring down the barrel of a gun".
"In any profession, whether it be the medical profession, my own profession or even the legal profession, people will make mistakes, but you have to be man enough to admit to that mistake," he added.
Supt Dorney is one of the fastest rising stars within the garda and played a leading role in major homicide investigations, including those of Robert Holohan (2005) and Sheola Keaney (2006).
- Ralph Riegel
Irish Independent
