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Post-mortem tests probed by Greater Manchester Police Post-mortem tests probed by Greater Manchester Police
(1 day later)
Police are investigating "significant concerns" raised over post-mortem examinations carried out for a coroner.Police are investigating "significant concerns" raised over post-mortem examinations carried out for a coroner.
Dr Khalid Ahmed worked as a histopathologist - studying how disease affects tissue - for the Pennine Acute NHS Trust at the Royal Oldham Hospital.Dr Khalid Ahmed worked as a histopathologist - studying how disease affects tissue - for the Pennine Acute NHS Trust at the Royal Oldham Hospital.
He carried out a number of post-mortem examinations for North Manchester coroner Joanne Kearsley, some of which gave an "incorrect" cause of death, a review found. He also carried out a number of post-mortem examinations for North Manchester coroner Joanne Kearsley, some of which gave an "incorrect" cause of death, a review found.
Dr Ahmed has not commented on the case.Dr Ahmed has not commented on the case.
Professor Simon Kim Suvarna, a consultant histopathologist at Sheffield Teaching Hospitals, examined a sample of 38 of the reports after Ms Kearsley's office raised concerns with Dr Ahmed's employers in May 2017.Professor Simon Kim Suvarna, a consultant histopathologist at Sheffield Teaching Hospitals, examined a sample of 38 of the reports after Ms Kearsley's office raised concerns with Dr Ahmed's employers in May 2017.
Professor Suvarna's report notes there were "multiple and significant deficiencies with Dr Ahmed's reports", including the fact he appeared not to have "confirmed the patient's identity which is a major professional deficiency".Professor Suvarna's report notes there were "multiple and significant deficiencies with Dr Ahmed's reports", including the fact he appeared not to have "confirmed the patient's identity which is a major professional deficiency".
He said Dr Ahmed's reports also described some organs as being present when they had been removed.He said Dr Ahmed's reports also described some organs as being present when they had been removed.
The professor added: "Dr Ahmed produced pathology reports whereby in a manner one may even have concerns that the wrong slides have been considered."The professor added: "Dr Ahmed produced pathology reports whereby in a manner one may even have concerns that the wrong slides have been considered."
A hearing in September is due to decide if the scheduled inquests where Dr Ahmed has provided expert evidence through his post-mortem examinations should continue.A hearing in September is due to decide if the scheduled inquests where Dr Ahmed has provided expert evidence through his post-mortem examinations should continue.
Coroners often reach verdicts on the causes of death of people based on expert medical evidence after doctors carry out post-mortem examinations.Coroners often reach verdicts on the causes of death of people based on expert medical evidence after doctors carry out post-mortem examinations.
'Highlighted concerns''Highlighted concerns'
Dr Ahmed, who qualified as a doctor in 1989 in Bangalore, India, joined the Pennine Acute Trust in January 2007.Dr Ahmed, who qualified as a doctor in 1989 in Bangalore, India, joined the Pennine Acute Trust in January 2007.
The trust said after it was told of the coroner's concerns, an "in-depth internal review" into Dr Ahmed's practice was carried out, which concluded in February. The doctor joined Pennine Acute Trust in January 2007 and his post-mortem work is private, paid for by the coroner and not overseen by his trust employers.
It covered his work for the coroner and for the trust, which "had also highlighted concerns regarding his NHS work for the organisation". The trust said after it was told of the coroner's concerns, an "in-depth internal review" into Dr Ahmed's work for the trust was carried out, which concluded in February.
However, the trust said a "thorough and extensive investigation" of Dr Ahmed's NHS work "provided assurance" his practice was "within the range of a reasonable pathologist". The trust said its own "governance mechanisms" had also already highlighted concerns regarding his NHS work for the organisation and an internal inquiry was already under way.
But the review by Professor Suvarna revealed "significant concerns" over "inadequate" reports. However, the trust said a "thorough and extensive investigation" of Dr Ahmed's NHS work "provided assurance" his NHS general histopathology practice, the diagnosis of disease by microscopic analysis, was "within the range of a reasonable pathologist", but identified concerns around the private post-mortem work that he undertook for the coronial service.
The concerns were taken to the coroner so they could investigate further.
The review of his work for the coroner by Professor Suvarna and the experts instructed by the trust revealed "significant concerns"."
Greater Manchester Police said it was "assessing what, if any, criminal offences may have been committed in relation to findings presented to the coroner".Greater Manchester Police said it was "assessing what, if any, criminal offences may have been committed in relation to findings presented to the coroner".
Dr Ahmed no longer works for the trust, but the General Medical Council said he was still licensed to practise as a histopathologist.Dr Ahmed no longer works for the trust, but the General Medical Council said he was still licensed to practise as a histopathologist.