Surgeon's report was never sent, inquiry told

A SURGEON, his secretary and his registrar were all incorrect in asserting a medical-legal report was sent to a patient three times, a solicitor told a Medical Council fitness-to-practise inquiry.

Damian Tansey of Callan Tansey Solicitors in Sligo was giving evidence against Andrew Macey, a consultant surgeon at Sligo General Hospital. Mr Macey is accused of failing to furnish a medical report to Mr Tansey about a patient, Mr A, despite nine written requests between October 2009 and December 2010. Mr Macey contends the report was furnished three times by post and once in person to Mr A.

Mr A (40), a man living in Sligo unnamed on the direction of the Medical Council committee, attended at Sligo hospital in July 2009 following a fall. He fractured his shoulder and hip. Having been engaged by Mr A, Mr Tansey wrote to Mr Macey seeking a medical report, which he says was never sent. It was usual for Mr Macey to send reports to his practice. But Mr Macey’s secretary, Karen O’Hara, said it was “invariably” his practice to send them to patients. The hearing continues.