GMC criticises circumcision care

http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/england/essex/8399630.stm

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A doctor who performed circumcisions in Essex did not provide the standard of care expected of a professional, the General Medical Council (GMC) has said.

Its Fitness to Practise panel, which met on Sunday, had heard allegations that Dr Aziz Chaudry did not adequately ensure boys were fully anaesthetised.

He is also accused of not fully informing the families of the processes involved at his clinic in Clacton.

Dr Chaudry admits failures over notekeeping, but denies misconduct.

It found aspects of Dr Chaudry's care did not meet required standards, but has yet to decide whether his fitness to practise is impaired as a consequence.

It will meet again in August 2010.

Warnings not adequate

Panel members concluded Dr Chaudry had not adequately explained what the surgery involved to the parents of five patients.

The doctor was said to have provided information about possible complications but not adequate warnings.

The panel concluded Dr Chaudry had not followed General Medical Council (GMC) guidance to explain the benefits and risks of the circumcision procedure so had not acted in the best interests of the children.

The standard of care was not what was expected of a registered medical practitioner.

Consent forms used for three patients were also criticised for failing to make it clear what information parents had been given.

Dr Chaudry was said to have failed to keep full patient records, although the lack of notes describing the way a local anaesthetic was administered to three patients was described as a "minor omission".

The doctor was also criticised for failing to inform the GPs of three patients that he had performed a circumcision.