Baby P doctor suspended (From Haringey Independent)

Baby P doctor suspended

1:14pm Thursday 27th November 2008 in Health By Charlotte Gray

The doctor who allegedly failed to spot Baby P's broken back has been suspended from practising, it has emerged.

Dr Sabah Al-Zayyat was suspended by the General Medical Council on Friday while an investigation is ongoing.

She had previously had restrictions placed on her medical licence but this was upgraded to a full suspension last week.

Dr Al-Zayyat was a locum paediatrician working for Great Ormond Street when she examined Baby P at St Ann's Hospital in Tottenham on August 1, 2007, two days before he died.

The 17-month-old died after suffering months of abuse at the hands of his family. Over the eight months leading up to his death in August last year he was seen by authorities 60 times.

Dr Al-Zayyat failed to carry out a full examination of Baby P before he died, noting he was "miserable and cranky".

During the trial experts who carried out the post mortem examinations revealed the child would have had a broken back at this point, as well as old fractures to his ribs and right tibia.

After the trial Dr Jane Collins, chief executive of Great Ormond Street, laid the blame at the feet of the paediatrician.

She said: "Our considered view based on the evidence of the independent review was that Dr Al-Zayyat should have entertained the possibility that [Baby P] suffered non-accidental injuries and should have taken appropriate action on that day."

The doctor's contract was not renewed by the children's hospital.

The General Medical Council confirmed today its Interim Order Panel, which formally restricted Dr Al-Zayyat's ability to practise, has now suspended her while an investigation into her conduct is ongoing.

The GMC said it will hold a full public hearing if its investigation merits it. It can then either strike Dr Al-Zayyat off the medical register, suspend her, put conditions on her registration or simply not impose any penalty.

Last week the doctor issued a statement through the Medical Protection Society, which gives professional indemnity to healthcare professionals.

She said: "Like everyone involved in this case, I have been deeply affected by the shocking and tragic circumstances of this young child's death.

"My professional career has been devoted to the care of children. I will cooperate with any investigation to identify whether lessons can be learnt from this case."