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Doctor posted expletive-filled Twitter rants about patients, tribunal hears Doctor posted expletive-filled Twitter rants about patients, tribunal hears
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A senior hospital doctor ran an expletive-laden Twitter account in which he ranted about A&E patients “crippling” the NHS, a tribunal has heard.A senior hospital doctor ran an expletive-laden Twitter account in which he ranted about A&E patients “crippling” the NHS, a tribunal has heard.
Dr Christian Solomonides, 37, posted dozens of foul-mouthed messages on his social media page claiming 90% of A&E admissions were from “ambulatory neurotics”.Dr Christian Solomonides, 37, posted dozens of foul-mouthed messages on his social media page claiming 90% of A&E admissions were from “ambulatory neurotics”.
Other tweets from Solomonides, a consultant in emergency medicine in London, included: “Ambulance for a broken nail, an earache, period pain, not being able to sleep are all REAL. What’s going on with the people of the UK…”Other tweets from Solomonides, a consultant in emergency medicine in London, included: “Ambulance for a broken nail, an earache, period pain, not being able to sleep are all REAL. What’s going on with the people of the UK…”
The medic, a grade eight-level pianist and avid weightlifter, added: “It costs £1,000 to deploy an ambulance and convey to hospital, I would say that 90% of callouts are fucking bullshit (as I work front line). You can quickly appreciate why the NHS is crippled financially. A fine of £50 to those who abuse A&E will soon keep drive away the droves of ambulatory neurotics.”The medic, a grade eight-level pianist and avid weightlifter, added: “It costs £1,000 to deploy an ambulance and convey to hospital, I would say that 90% of callouts are fucking bullshit (as I work front line). You can quickly appreciate why the NHS is crippled financially. A fine of £50 to those who abuse A&E will soon keep drive away the droves of ambulatory neurotics.”
At a fitness to practice hearing in Manchester, Solomonides, from Chingford in east London, admitted posting 188 potentially offensive tweets from his account between July 2011 and January 2015. Now deactivated, it was online under the handle @drcms1 and was “easy to find on a Google search”, the Medical Practitioners Tribunal Service was told. At a fitness to practise hearing in Manchester, Solomonides, from Chingford east London, admitted posting 188 potentially offensive tweets from his account between July 2011 and January 2015. Now deactivated, it was online under the name @drcms1 and was easy to find on a Google search, the Medical Practitioners Tribunal Service was told.
From the account, he aired his views on politics, atheism and the state of the NHS but the doctor, who was described as an “excellent clinician”, also used the public forum to criticise patients. From the account, he aired his views on politics, atheism and the state of the NHS, but the doctor, who was described as an “excellent clinician”, also used the public forum to criticise patients.
Further tweets he posted included: “I’m sure ADHD is merely a polite term for a child who is just a little shit.” Further tweets Solomonides posted included: “I’m sure ADHD is merely a polite term for a child who is just a little shit.”
During a series of posts, culminating in one with the hashtag #rant, on 14 July 2013, he said: “‘If she dies it’s your fault.’ Don’t you DARE apportion blame to the organisation you come to for FREE healthcare. DISGRACEFUL.”During a series of posts, culminating in one with the hashtag #rant, on 14 July 2013, he said: “‘If she dies it’s your fault.’ Don’t you DARE apportion blame to the organisation you come to for FREE healthcare. DISGRACEFUL.”
He added: “I’m sick of busting balls to ensure that a patient with a broken fingernail (who called an ambulance) is seen within four hours. Sort it out!!” Another message mimicking a patient said: “You mean to tell me I’ve waited three hours to be told it’s a bruise!!” Well, use a bit of common sense next time. Nobody FORCED you to wait.”He added: “I’m sick of busting balls to ensure that a patient with a broken fingernail (who called an ambulance) is seen within four hours. Sort it out!!” Another message mimicking a patient said: “You mean to tell me I’ve waited three hours to be told it’s a bruise!!” Well, use a bit of common sense next time. Nobody FORCED you to wait.”
A further tweet said: “David Cameron is an obsequious Islamophile and he needs to go. The way we suck up to sick doctrines like Islam in the UK is sickening.” He also posted about banning the burqa, adding that religion was for those with below average IQ – and said he had never met a Muslim who was “into classical music, outdoor pursuits or nature”. Another tweet said: “David Cameron is an obsequious Islamophile and he needs to go. The way we suck up to sick doctrines like Islam in the UK is sickening.” He also posted about banning the burqa, adding that religion was for those with below average IQ – and said he had never met a Muslim who was “into classical music, outdoor pursuits or nature”.
Solomonides was questioned about the comments during a meeting on January 25 last year and accepted responsibility. Solomonides was questioned about the comments during a meeting on 25 January 2015 last year and accepted responsibility.
The counsel for the GMC, Shirlie Duckworth, said: “He recognised he had overstepped the mark, the postings could cause offence and compromise his credibility. He expressed regret and said he had been naive in thinking the postings would only be accessible to his own followers.”The counsel for the GMC, Shirlie Duckworth, said: “He recognised he had overstepped the mark, the postings could cause offence and compromise his credibility. He expressed regret and said he had been naive in thinking the postings would only be accessible to his own followers.”
In a letter to the Trust, Solomonides said: “I recognise now that I hold a position of considerable authority and publicly announcing controversial views in this context is inappropriate and compromises my professional credibility. I wish to emphasise these personal views have never influenced my clinical practice in any way.” In a letter to the trust, Solomonides said: “I recognise now that I hold a position of considerable authority and publicly announcing controversial views in this context is inappropriate and compromises my professional credibility. I wish to emphasise these personal views have never influenced my clinical practice in any way.”
The hearing continues.The hearing continues.