Death doctor can practise again

http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/england/hampshire/7117800.stm

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A doctor found guilty of the death of a patient after routine surgery has been permitted to practise again in the UK.

However, the General Medical Council (GMC) has imposed 20 conditions requiring close supervision over the next three years for Dr Amit Misra, 37.

He was found guilty of manslaughter in 2003 and received an 18-month suspended sentence at Winchester Crown Court.

The GMC suspended his licence for a year in 2005 and extended it for another year in November 2006.

That suspension will end on 28 December 2007.

Knowledge gaps

Misra and Dr Rajeev Srivastava were found guilty of manslaughter in the death of Sean Phillips, 31, who went to Southampton General Hospital for a routine knee surgery.

Mr Phillips of Southampton, died in June 2000 after suffering toxic shock syndrome following an infection with the MRSA bacteria, which Misra - a senior house officer - and Srivastava failed to diagnose.

The GMC's Fitness to Practise panel reviewed the suspension and found that Misra's ability to practise was "impaired" following an assessment of his professional performance.

Assessors identified knowledge gaps in three of four areas.

Right of appeal

"Overall Dr Misra had demonstrated a bare minimum surgical and orthopaedic knowledge base consistent with a junior senior house officer," the panel said in its ruling released on Wednesday.

"Balancing those errors against giving Dr Misra the opportunity to remedy the shortcomings in his clinical deficiencies, the panel determines that it is appropriate, necessary and proportionate to impose conditions on his registration for a period of three years.

"This period of conditional registration will ensure patient safety until his failings have been fully and adequately addressed, such that Dr Misra is a safe doctor."

Misra who is in India was represented by his solicitor. He has 28 days to appeal the 20 conditions, if he so desires.

Srivastava was suspended for six months.