IS THE UK HEALTHCARE SYSTEM IN CRISIS?
When it comes to circumcision, we see some major problems in policy.
Recently these problems have been recognised and exposed by an independent inquiry into a rogue surgeon, Dr Ian Paterson. (Find information on the case here.)
In 2017 Dr Ian Paterson was convicted for wounding with intent after a 15 year career of malpractice. An inquiry was launched in 2018 into how his behaviour was allowed to continue. Paterson had been performing mastectomies on women who had been pressured into undergoing unnecessary surgeries. Chief Superintendent, Head of Force CID in West Midlands Police, Mark Payne, called Paterson a “controlling bully, who played God with people’s lives so he could live a luxurious lifestyle”.
Many of these surgeries carried a significant risk of further complication, the complaints procedure was absolutely inadequate, and there was a reluctance to investigate or challenge the doctor.
This analysis will be incredibly familiar to the men who feel let down by healthcare providers with regards to circumcision. It also show the problems and shortcomings embedded within the General Medical Council.
The Patterson Inquiry:
“This report is not simply a story about a rogue surgeon. It would be tragic enough if that was the case, given the thousands of people whom Ian Paterson treated. But it is far worse. It is the story of a healthcare system which proved itself dysfunctional at almost every level when it came to keeping patients safe, and where those who were the victims of Paterson’s malpractice were let down time and time again.” – The Patterson Inquiry findings
A similar story from the angle of our charity is that of a doctor who performed a circumcision on a boy without parental consent. This angered the parents, and prompted an investigation that has truly let down the boy, his parents, and the public in general:
How can our healthcare system purport to put the best interests of the child first and foremost in one breath and in another allow doctors to perform surgery on boys without consent, and face only a months suspension!?
How is this anything but a crisis!
Here is a timeline of events regarding the child
No Consent Case Timeline
July 2013 – The boy is circumcised when he is three months old. His mother later contacts social services
November 2014 – The mother contacts Nottinghamshire Police, who later drop the investigation
August 2015 – The mother complains to the General Medical Council, which later starts investigating
May 2017 – Human rights lawyer Saimo Chahal writes to police saying they should review the decision not to prosecute
June 2017 – Police arrest Dr Balvinder Mehat and the boy’s paternal grandparents
October 2017 – Police visit the mother to inform her the CPS had decided to take no further action
November 2017 – Saimo Chahal receives written confirmation of the CPS decision and reasons
September 2019 – Dr Mehat attends a misconduct hearing before the Medical Practitioners Tribunal Service, where he admits circumcising the boy without his mother’s consent
The General Medical Council decided there was a “very low risk of repetition” and “no risk to patients” by allowing Dr Mehat to continue working despite a flagrant breach of these lax, yet essential standards for performing circumcision.
Protecting Public Image
Refocusing on the Patterson inquiry, “They [the victims of Patterson] were then let down both by an NHS trust and an independent healthcare provider who failed to supervise him appropriately and did not respond correctly to well-evidenced complaints about his practice. Once the action was finally taken, patients were again let down by wholly inadequate recall procedures in both the NHS and the private sector.”
The recall of patients did not put their safety and care first, which led the inquiry to conclude that the Heart of England NHS Foundation Trust and Spire were primarily concerned for their own reputation before rectifying their faults. This shows systematic let down of patients deeply entrenched within the health institutions.
The victims were let down by the Medical Defence Union which used its discretion to avoid giving compensation to Paterson patients once it was clear his malpractice was criminal. The inquiry show that the healthcare system has “proved itself dysfunctional at almost every level.” When it came to keeping patients safe, they were let down time and time
again.
Still sounding familiar? How long can this crisis in the healthcare system remain?
You can find the full document here.
Promoting Good Practice & Informed Consent
We must continue our work to advocate for fully informed consent for elective surgery, and continue to resist the practice of performing medically unnecessary procedures on infants and young boys who cannot give their consent. It is vital that we work with parents to give them all the information they need when making these life-altering decisions for their children to avoid a repeat of this negligent trend.
As always 15 Square is here for advice and support, for everyone who needs it.
If you have been affected by any of the issues in this article or need support around circumcision, please feel free to contact us.
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