"Dr Patel, 63, who was criticised over his part in the investigation into the death of Ian Tomlinson during the G20 protests, was found earlier this year to have omitted autopsy findings which he considered not "relevant" when examining the body of 31-year-old prostitute Sally White.
A GMC panel ruled in March that his fitness to practise was impaired and found him guilty of dishonesty regarding his CV. It went on to conclude that his behaviour was "fundamentally at odds with the role and responsibilities expected of a doctor" and suspended his registration for four months."
THE EXPRESS;
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PUBLISHER'S VIEW: The Charles Smith saga - called by the Globe and Mail a series of earthquakes which exploded under Ontario's criminal justice system - has underlined the enormous harm that can be caused by an incompetent pathologist who is used to investigate criminal cases by the State. One of its lessons is that medical licensing bodies such as the Ontario College of Physicians and Surgeons in Ontario and the British Medical Council must scrutinize allegations made against such pathologists extremely carefully and hold them strictly to account where misconduct is found - that's what protecting the public is all about.
HAROLD LEVY; PUBLISHER; THE CHARLES SMITH BLOG;
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"A pathologist found guilty of serious misconduct over his post-mortem examination reports into the death of a victim of so-called "Camden Ripper" Anthony Hardy has had his suspension extended," the August 2, 2011 Express story published under the heading, "Pathologist Dr Freddy Patel has had his suspension extended," begins.
"Dr Freddy Patel, who was originally suspended for four months earlier this year, will now be prevented from practising until December 31," the story continues.
"A General Medical Council (GMC) fitness to practise review panel said this would give the GMC ample time to prepare evidence on a new allegation which had emerged against him.
Dr Patel, 63, who was criticised over his part in the investigation into the death of Ian Tomlinson during the G20 protests, was found earlier this year to have omitted autopsy findings which he considered not "relevant" when examining the body of 31-year-old prostitute Sally White.
A GMC panel ruled in March that his fitness to practise was impaired and found him guilty of dishonesty regarding his CV. It went on to conclude that his behaviour was "fundamentally at odds with the role and responsibilities expected of a doctor" and suspended his registration for four months.
The sanctions were to take effect four weeks from when Dr Patel received written notification of his suspension.
The panel had found 29 allegations against his examination of Hardy's first victim were proved.
This included the assertion that he did not properly consider the location of her clothes, blood stains on her bedding and clothes or the location and position of Ms White's body in a locked room, in the flat of a recently arrested man.
The panel said Dr Patel had an "inflexible approach" to his autopsy conclusions and gave "superficial" consideration to the possibility she was asphyxiated, which fell "below the standard expected for a competent forensic pathologist".
Chair of the review panel Professor Brian Gomes da Costa said it had heard that the GMC case examiners had referred a new allegation to a fitness to practise panel."
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The story can be found at:
http://www.express.co.uk/posts/view/262743/Suspension-of-pathologist-extended
PUBLISHER'S NOTE: The Toronto Star, my previous employer for more than twenty incredible years, has put considerable effort into exposing the harm caused by Dr. Charles Smith and his protectors - and into pushing for reform of Ontario's forensic pediatric pathology system. The Star has a "topic" section which focuses on recent stories related to Dr. Charles Smith. It can be accessed at:
http://www.thestar.com/topic/charlessmith
For a breakdown of some of the cases, issues and controversies this Blog is currently following, please turn to:
http://www.blogger.com/post-edit.g?blogID=120008354894645705&postID=8369513443994476774
Harold Levy: Publisher; The Charles Smith Blog; hlevy15@gmail.com;
