Monday 14 October 2024
Select a region
News

Doctors at centre of damning review "no longer undertaking clinical work"

Doctors at centre of damning review

Friday 04 August 2023

Doctors at centre of damning review "no longer undertaking clinical work"

Friday 04 August 2023


Two doctors at the centre of a critical review of the Rheumatology Department are "no longer undertaking clinical work" – but Government officials have declined to confirm whether they are still officially employed or not.

Following the release of the preliminary findings of the review on Thursday, the Interim Chief Officer for Health said today that the notes of all patients seen by these two doctors – including both rheumatology and non-rheumatology patients – will now also be reviewed.

Yesterday it was revealed that over half of rheumatology patients prescribed powerful drugs which suppress the immune system and can make individuals more susceptible to infections did not meet the accepted criteria for the treatment.

The audit also suggested that the findings may be symptomatic of other "serious" problems in Health.

However, the department said that it was "too early" to establish whether anyone had suffered harm as a result of "inappropriate" prescribing.

Chris Brown

Pictured: Chris Bown, Interim Chief Officer for Health and Community Services.

Christopher Bown, Interim Chief Officer for Health and Community Services, said: “Yesterday, HCS announced the preliminary findings from an audit of the patient notes of approximately 340 rheumatology patients. We also indicated the need for a wider review of patient notes.

“In the interests of openness and transparency we can confirm that the review involves the practice and record keeping of just two doctors in the period before January 2022. Neither of the doctors were locums, and they are no longer undertaking clinical work with HCS.

“We will now be reviewing the notes of all the rheumatology patients seen by these doctors, and since they also treated a number of non-rheumatology patients we will be reviewing the notes of these patients too.

“I would like to take this opportunity to extend my thanks to the rheumatologists who have joined our rheumatology team in recent months.”

When asked by Express if either of the two doctors were still employed or being paid by the Health department, the Government said that it was unable to comment on individual HR matters. It has also not been revealed whether any disciplinary action is underway.

READ MORE...

More than 170 Jersey patients wrongly given powerful drugs

New Rheumatology Head after review finds "inappropriate" prescribing

Review suggests "inappropriate" prescribing of medication for rheumatology patients

“Rheumatology patients deserve better” - records to be audited

Sign up to newsletter

 

Comments

Comments on this story express the views of the commentator only, not Bailiwick Publishing. We are unable to guarantee the accuracy of any of those comments.

You have landed on the Bailiwick Express website, however it appears you are based in . Would you like to stay on the site, or visit the site?