Council to rule on 'caring' consultant

A Drogheda consultant who is facing 12 allegations of professional misconduct following the death of one of his patients, was a “caring, compassionate and hardworking doctor”, his counsel said this morning.

In closing submissions to a fitness to practise inquiry at the Medical Council, Eileen Barrington SC said her client, consultant gynaecologist and obstetrician Dr Etop Samson Akpan, was a dedicated clinician, loved his job and was held in high regard by his colleagues at Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital in Drogheda.

She said in advance of the death of 31-year-old Sharon McEneaney, doctors at the hospital had made “persistent complaints” that they were working “in an environment that put patients at risk”.

There had been a tragic outcome for Ms McEneaney, she said, but the system had let her down.

“It can’t be said that because there is a systems failure somebody must be held accountable and must be found guilty of professional misconduct,” Ms Barrington said.

Ms McEneaney, from Carrickmacross, Co Monaghan, had a cancerous tumour in her abdomen and died in April 2009 after delays in her treatment at Our Lady of Lourdes. She first attended the hospital in October 2007, but she was not treated for cancer until July 2008 and only had a biopsy after the intervention of former TD Dr Rory O’Hanlon in late June 2008.

The inquiry committee, chaired by Dr Danny O'Hare, is expected to make findings in the case later today.