Myhill MB BS Persecuted doctors
Private Powys GP year ban for 'inappropriate treatment'
Dr Sarah Myhill Dr Myhill has a specialist private practice in Powys
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-mid-wales-11550075
A GP has been suspended from practising medicine for a year by the General
Medical Council (GMC).
Dr Sarah Myhill, 52, who has a private practice near Knighton, Powys had claimed
she was a "pioneer" in the treatment of chronic fatigue syndrome.
The GMC imposed an interim ban while it investigates her claims, but it said Dr
Myhill might pose a "risk to patients".
Dr Myhill said there was "no proper evidence" of any patient being harmed or put
at risk by her actions.
She was banned from prescribing drugs for 18 months by the GMC in April, and
told to take down part of her website.
The ban came after a group of GPs from Yorkshire claimed she had provided
"inappropriate" treatment to a patient in June 2009.
Dr Myhill recommended vitamin and magnesium injections for suspected chronic
fatigue syndrome, a treatment an expert said had "no clinical or biochemical
basis".
The panel is satisfied that, based on the complaints made, and the concerns
raised, there is sufficient information before it to indicate that there may be
impairment of your fitness to practise and that such impairment may pose a real
risk to patients”
End Quote Dr Peter Maguire GMC panel chairman
Stuart Jones, a senior clinical scientist at Queen's Hospital in Romford, Essex,
also raised concerns about advice on the doctor's website concerning breast
cancer screening and child vaccinations.
The website discouraged women from using the oral contraceptive pill,
recommended an alternative method of breast cancer screening and restated the
link between the measles, mumps and rubella jab and autism, which has now been
discredited.
The latest GMC hearing heard that there were "repeated and significant concerns
raised by former patients, medical practitioners and other members of the
public".
GMC panel chair Dr Peter Maguire said: "The circumstances which bring patients
to your practice by their very nature make your patients vulnerable,
notwithstanding any actual health issues.
"The panel is satisfied that, based on the complaints made, and the concerns
raised, there is sufficient information before it to indicate that there may be
impairment of your fitness to practise and that such impairment may pose a real
risk to patients.
'The panel has been extremely concerned by your possible lack of understanding
of the requirements of modern day best practice, as well as a seeming lack of
perception and understanding of the consequences of your actions."
Dr Myhill tried to challenge the interim conditions at the review hearing, which
was held in public at her request.
It was attended by around a dozen of her supporters.
The hearing also heard that the GMC had received further complaints since
April's ruling.
They included a suggestion that Dr Myhill had attempted to exploit a loophole in
a requirement she take down information on her website by posting a link to an "ungagged"
version of the site.
Dr Myhill said she could not be held responsible if other people had chosen to
copy her website.
Her 12-month interim order will be reviewed within three months.
Following the GMC hearing in London, a statement issued on behalf of Dr Myhill
said: "The GMC has constructed no actual allegations against her.
"The IOP (interims order panel of the GMC) hearing she faced did not concern
themselves with issues of fact or the veracity of evidence.
"There is no proper evidence of any patient being harmed or put at risk of harm
by her actions or advice. Indeed, there is a vast weight of evidence from
patients who have substantially benefited from her practice.
"The GMC has received thousands of letters from patients testifying to her
abilities as a good and caring doctor."
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I guess the GMC have not heard of Hannah Poling!!