Publication of sanction against doctor ‘not in public interest’

The Medical Council has said it was not in the public interest to publish the sanction imposed on a gynaecologist who was found guilty last year of poor professional performance.

The decision was taken at a sanctions hearing of the council convened last month to consider the case of obstetrician and gynaecologist Mr Peter Van Geene.

Last October, the fitness to practise committee of the council found Mr Van Geene guilty on two counts of poor professional performance in relation to a patient on whom he performed a hysterectomy.

Mr Van Geene failed to adequately explain to the patient, Helen Cruise, the procedures due to be carried out, as well as the risks involved, and this amounted to poor professional performance, the committee found.

It also found Mr Van Geene communicated with Ms Cruise in an incorrect or inappropriate manner during a postoperative conversation with her at St Luke’s Hospital.

Mr Van Geene was found not guilty of 13 other allegations in relation to three other women, whose identities were not disclosed at the fitness to practise hearing.

The committee’s findings were considered at a meeting of the council on October 26th, at which it was decided publication of the sanctions imposed on Mr Van Geene was not in the public interest in accordance with section 85 of the Medical Practitioners Act 2007.

Mr Van Geene has 21 days to appeal any sanction imposed by the council to the High Court.