Botched operation doc could be struck off (From Basildon Recorder)

Botched operation doc could be struck off

12:10pm Friday 22nd March 2013 in News By Jon Austin

Surinder Venables

A GYNAECOLOGIST who wrongly removed part of a woman’s womb and later died during an unnecessary procedure could be struck off as a doctor.

Dr Nikolaos Papanikolaou has already admitted a string of blunders at Basildon Hospital, but faces more allegations of carrying out botched procedures at a fitness to practice hearing.

Surinder Venables, 49, from Whitmore Way, Basildon, died after being operated on by Dr Papanikolaou.

She went to the hospital for a routine operation in September 2008 to have three cysts removed, but Mr Papanikolaou removed part of her bowel by mistake during a separate procedure and also perforated her uterus.

Subsequent complications led to her death within a month.

Dr Papanikolaou, who was a specialist registrar in obstetrics and gynaecology at Basildon between February 2008 and February 2009, has admitted charges in relation to Mrs Venables and another patient, but denies charges of botching the earlier births of six babies between March and July 2008.

He is accused of, in three cases, failing to carry out immediate caesarean sections when circumstances required them.

In one case when the baby’s heart rate had dropped for three minutes and one led to a still birth, it is alleged.

Other alleged blunders include leaving medical swabs inside a patient and inappropriately changing the planned birth from a caesarean to normal birth.

Alexandra Felix representing the General Medical Council told the hearing: “This is a case about a doctor who has displayed deficient clinical assessment with outcomes that were sub optimum.”

Dr Papanikolaou was not sacked by Basildon Hospital as a result of any of the incidents.

A hospital spokesman said: “We can confirm that he worked at the hospital between February 2008 and February 2009, but he then left of his own volition. We are unable to provide any further information at this stage because of the investigation.”

The hearing, which began this week, is expected to last until April 12. Sanctions could include being struck off as a doctor, suspended, given an official warning, placed on restricted duties or made to under go training.