PATIENTS are unlikely to be reassured by the one-month suspension imposed by the General Medical Council on a consultant anaesthetist who fell asleep during one operation and watched an action movie during another.
Lay people have long suspected that professional bodies such as the GMC are cosy organisations all too ready to close ranks than truly protect the interests of the public.
The rap on the knuckles that Dr Christopher Vella Bonnici has received will do little to puncture that belief.
The GMC has accepted that Dr Christopher Vella Bonnici's behaviour at Selly Oak Hospital was "unprofessional, irresponsible and below the standard expected".
But its big-wigs say that he is remorseful, has learned his lesson and is unlikely to repeat his actions.
We are sure that is the case, but the fact remains that a month's suspension seems scant punishment for someone who behaved so unacceptably.
Would a trucker who dozed at the wheel of a juggernaut or an air traffic controller who snoozed in front of his computer screen have been dealt with as lightly?
Unlikely. Why should highly-paid medics be treated any differently?
Comments (1)
If you look at the GMC website you will see that falling asleep and watching DVD's isn't actually even half of what this doctor has done spanning a period of several years. He has had at least two instances of not anaesthetising people properly and them being aware and feeling their whole operation when they are supposed to be asleep! These people will have to live with that experience for the rest of their lives, it must have been like being buried alive. Completely awake but paralysed and unable to move, shout scream or even blink, and the whole time be able to feel the pain of your operation, the scalpel and the other surgical instruments going into your body. According to information available on the GMC website, one patient "could recall instruments being inserted into her vagina". I have heard that there was a third occasion that was settled out of court before the two mentioned at the trial! This man is a danger! The GMC have said that they are sure that he has learnt by his mistakes even though they have published the facts that they have found him guilty of several cases of negligence and misconduct across a period of years. Just when was it he was supposed to have learnt by his mistakes?! They said that the punishment fits because he has been professionally embarrassed and shows remorse. I'm sure that I would show remorse if I was sat in a court room listening to my career going down the toilet. I don't think that a punishment is anywhere near enough here. He can't do his job safely and by the sound of it, he's not even that interested any more anyway... sleeping and watching films! I'm disgusted and petrified at the same time. I hope I never have to go to that hospital for an operation. If you do, I would ask who will be your anaesthetist first and if you hear the name Christopher Vella Bonnici... run a mile!
Posted by Kate | August 16, 2007 7:31 PM
Posted on August 16, 2007 19:31