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Doctor 'prescribed an exorcism' | Doctor 'prescribed an exorcism' |
(29 minutes later) | |
A family planning doctor prescribed an exorcism to a woman during a routine appointment, a medical tribunal heard. | A family planning doctor prescribed an exorcism to a woman during a routine appointment, a medical tribunal heard. |
Dr Joyce Pratt, 44, allegedly told the patient she was possessed by an evil spirit and suggested she visit a priest who could take the problem away. | Dr Joyce Pratt, 44, allegedly told the patient she was possessed by an evil spirit and suggested she visit a priest who could take the problem away. |
The General Medical Council heard the consultation took place at Westside Contraceptive Services in Westminster, central London. | |
Dr Pratt denies her fitness to practise is impaired by reason of misconduct. | |
She is accused of acting in a manner liable to bring the medical profession into disrepute. | |
Battered bible | Battered bible |
The tribunal heard that the patient, referred to as Mrs K, had attended the clinic for a routine contraception injection. | |
During the appointment she mentioned she was experiencing pain and bleeding and the doctor told her she had "something moving inside her". | During the appointment she mentioned she was experiencing pain and bleeding and the doctor told her she had "something moving inside her". |
In a statement the patient said: "She grabbed my stomach and said that it was a flabby stomach and that it moves and it wasn't normal. | |
"She then said that there was black magic inside." | |
She told Mrs K she knew everything about her family and the patient believed her and became extremely frightened Stephen Brassington, GMC counsel | She told Mrs K she knew everything about her family and the patient believed her and became extremely frightened Stephen Brassington, GMC counsel |
The doctor allegedly made Mrs K - a practising Muslim - drink what she claimed was Christian holy water from a bottle in the consultation room. | The doctor allegedly made Mrs K - a practising Muslim - drink what she claimed was Christian holy water from a bottle in the consultation room. |
Dr Pratt then read to her from a battered bible, said prayers over her stomach and gave her wooden crosses and stones to ward off evil, the panel heard. | Dr Pratt then read to her from a battered bible, said prayers over her stomach and gave her wooden crosses and stones to ward off evil, the panel heard. |
GMC counsel, Stephen Brassington, said Mrs K was too "anxious and distressed" to give evidence to the Fitness to Practise Panel sitting in Manchester. | GMC counsel, Stephen Brassington, said Mrs K was too "anxious and distressed" to give evidence to the Fitness to Practise Panel sitting in Manchester. |
Advice to disappear | Advice to disappear |
Mr Brassington said: "She told Mrs K she knew everything about her family and the patient believed her and became extremely frightened - a feeling that persisted for many months." | |
Dr Pratt is also alleged to have failed to co-operate with inquiries into her behaviour by her manager and the primary care trust. | Dr Pratt is also alleged to have failed to co-operate with inquiries into her behaviour by her manager and the primary care trust. |
The doctor chose not to attend the hearing or provide herself with any legal representation. | The doctor chose not to attend the hearing or provide herself with any legal representation. |
If found guilty of misconduct she may be struck off the medical register. | If found guilty of misconduct she may be struck off the medical register. |