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Cancer blunder doctor keeps job 'Whitewash' over cancer blunder
(29 minutes later)
A clinical scientist judged to have shown a lack of competence over the botched treatment of a teenage cancer patient has been found fit to practise. A ruling which allows a clinician who botched a teenage cancer patient's treatment to keep on working has been branded a "whitewash" by her father.
Dr Stuart McNee worked at the Beatson Oncology Centre in Glasgow where Lisa Norris was given 19 radiation overdoses during treatment for a brain tumour. Ken Norris spoke out after a Health Professions Council hearing upheld charges against Dr Stuart McNee but decided he should not be struck off.
The 16-year-old later died from the tumour at her home in Ayrshire. Dr McNee worked at the Beatson Oncology Centre in Glasgow where Lisa Norris was given 19 radiation overdoses.
A Health Professions Council hearing upheld charges against Dr McNee but decided he should not be struck off. The 16-year-old died from a brain tumour at her home in Ayrshire in 2006.
Lisa was initially diagnosed with the tumour in October 2005, and was given radiation 58% higher than prescribed in January 2006, which left her with burns on her head and neck. The Health Professions Council (HPC) hearing in Edinburgh found that Dr McNee had shown a lack of competence over Ms Norris's treatment.
Mr McNee faced allegations that he failed to ensure that standard operating procedures were up-to-date and were followed during the radiotherapy treatment of "Patient A" between 15 December 2005 and 1 February 2006. She was initially diagnosed with the tumour in October 2005, and was given radiation 58% higher than prescribed in January 2006, which left her with burns on her head and neck.
He was also accused of failing to ensure adequate supervision of trainees and of failing to get the treatment plan independently verified by another competent member of staff. No-one has taken responsibility for overdosing Lisa and as far as I'm concerned they have just whitewashed it Ken Norris
The panel said Dr McNee had been responsible for planning the botched course of radiotherapy, but said his biggest failing had been not speaking out over staffing pressures in his department.
This had led to his failure to ensure that standing operating procedures were up to date or even followed, or to make sure that systems were in place to ensure his trainee practitioners were supported.
Despite all misconduct charges being proven against him, the HPC panel ruled Dr McNee could continue working.
Its chairman Colin Allies said: "We are confident the Registrant has learned from his mistakes and would act differently in similar circumstances today.
"We took into consideration the lack of staff and a lack of support from senior management.
'No reprimand'
"The Registrant's fitness to practise is not impaired therefore the allegation is not well founded."
The conduct and competence hearing was attended by Ms Norris's parents Ken, 53, and Liz, 52.
They described the outcome as a "travesty" and a "whitewash" and said they would continue with legal action against the health authority, NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde.
Mr Norris said: "I'm very disappointed that a man can do what he did and walk away from it. I was expecting him to at least get reprimanded for it.
"I expected him to be here so we could come face to face with him.
"No-one has taken responsibility for overdosing Lisa and as far as I'm concerned they have just whitewashed it.
"It doesn't matter that he had a good, impeccable record. What he did, he shouldn't have done. It's a travesty. We will still continue our fight against NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde."