Sir, - The suspension of Dr Colman Muldoon from his post of consultant at the International Missionary Hospital in Drogheda is a major cause of concern to the public. The contract between doctor and patient includes diagnosis and management. It is a basic component of clinical care to decide when treatment should finish and when the patient is to be discharged. A visit to any hospital nowadays shows that the average patient age is much higher than 20 years ago. A continuing concern in clinical care is that patients, elderly ones in particular, are discharged back into the community too early and as a result re-admission is often necessary.
Dr Muldoon is widely recognised as an outstanding physician. After distinguished postgraduate study in London teaching hospitals, he returned to Drogheda to give dedicated service to the hospital and community. Many medical postgraduates will testify to his enthusiastic teaching despite a busy practice. The sooner that this unfortunate episode is terminated in Dr Muldoon's favour, the better for the medical profession. - Yours, etc., Prof C. T. Keane, MD, FRCPI, FRCPath, Consultant Microbiologist,
St James's Hospital, James's Street, Dublin 8.