This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/health/7127485.stm

The article has changed 8 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 4 Version 5
David Southall struck off by GMC David Southall struck off by GMC
(10 minutes later)
Controversial paediatrician Dr David Southall has been found guilty of serious professional misconduct and struck off the medical register.Controversial paediatrician Dr David Southall has been found guilty of serious professional misconduct and struck off the medical register.
The General Medical Council decided last week that he had abused his position by accusing a mother of drugging and murdering her son.The General Medical Council decided last week that he had abused his position by accusing a mother of drugging and murdering her son.
The GMC said Dr Southall had a "deep-seated attitudinal problem".The GMC said Dr Southall had a "deep-seated attitudinal problem".
It is the second time in three years Dr Southall has been found guilty of serious professional misconduct.It is the second time in three years Dr Southall has been found guilty of serious professional misconduct.
There are now two instances were without justification you have accused a parent of murdering their child Dr Jacqueline MittonGeneral Medical Council Southall profileWhy was my file kept secret?There are now two instances were without justification you have accused a parent of murdering their child Dr Jacqueline MittonGeneral Medical Council Southall profileWhy was my file kept secret?
The GMC found that Dr Southall's actions added to the distress of the mother - Mandy Morris, from Shropshire - whose 10-year-old son Lee hanged himself in 1996.The GMC found that Dr Southall's actions added to the distress of the mother - Mandy Morris, from Shropshire - whose 10-year-old son Lee hanged himself in 1996.
Dr Southall made the claim in an interview with Mrs Morris about the safety of her surviving son.Dr Southall made the claim in an interview with Mrs Morris about the safety of her surviving son.
He had been instructed by Shropshire County Council to provide an independent expert report to the court.He had been instructed by Shropshire County Council to provide an independent expert report to the court.
Special filesSpecial files
The GMC also ruled that, in some cases, Dr Southall acted inappropriately in keeping original medical documents on children in his care in his own special case files separately from their official medical records.The GMC also ruled that, in some cases, Dr Southall acted inappropriately in keeping original medical documents on children in his care in his own special case files separately from their official medical records.
It is a great shame for David Southall personally, and a huge deterrent for paediatricians in Britian to get involved in this kind of work Dr Paul DavisConsultant paediatricianIt is a great shame for David Southall personally, and a huge deterrent for paediatricians in Britian to get involved in this kind of work Dr Paul DavisConsultant paediatrician
Lawyers acting for the Attorney General are now examing thousands of these files amid concerns that they were not revealed during criminal proceedings.Lawyers acting for the Attorney General are now examing thousands of these files amid concerns that they were not revealed during criminal proceedings.
In 2004 Dr Southall was suspended from child protection work over his role in the case of Sally Clark, wrongly jailed over the death of her two sons.In 2004 Dr Southall was suspended from child protection work over his role in the case of Sally Clark, wrongly jailed over the death of her two sons.
Dr Southall accused Mrs Clark's husband Steve of murdering the two boys on the basis of a television interview.Dr Southall accused Mrs Clark's husband Steve of murdering the two boys on the basis of a television interview.
Dr Jacqueline Mitton, chair of the GMC disciplinary panel, told Dr Southall: "Your multiple failings over an extended period caused the panel great concern.Dr Jacqueline Mitton, chair of the GMC disciplinary panel, told Dr Southall: "Your multiple failings over an extended period caused the panel great concern.
"Furthermore, the panel is influenced by the fact that although the events in the current case predate those in the Clark case there are now two instances were without justification you have accused a parent of murdering their child."Furthermore, the panel is influenced by the fact that although the events in the current case predate those in the Clark case there are now two instances were without justification you have accused a parent of murdering their child.
"In all the circumstances the panel has concluded that you have deep seated attitudinal problems and that your misconduct is so serious that it is fundamentally incompatible with your continuing to be a registered medical practitioner.""In all the circumstances the panel has concluded that you have deep seated attitudinal problems and that your misconduct is so serious that it is fundamentally incompatible with your continuing to be a registered medical practitioner."
SupportersSupporters
Dr Paul Davis, a consultant paediatrician in Cardiff, said Dr Southall had been a great pioneer in helping identify mothers who hurt their babies, and, as a result, had become the target of a hate campaign.Dr Paul Davis, a consultant paediatrician in Cardiff, said Dr Southall had been a great pioneer in helping identify mothers who hurt their babies, and, as a result, had become the target of a hate campaign.
He said: "It is a great shame for David Southall personally, and a huge deterrent for paediatricians in Britian to get involved in this kind of work."He said: "It is a great shame for David Southall personally, and a huge deterrent for paediatricians in Britian to get involved in this kind of work."
The Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health expressed sadness and disappointment at the ruling.
President Dr Patricia Hamilton said "David Southall has made a major contribution to child health both nationally and internationally and has been a strong advocate for children during a distinguished career."
But John Batt, lawyer to the Clarks, said: "This has got to be the right decision.But John Batt, lawyer to the Clarks, said: "This has got to be the right decision.
"Paediatricians fulfil an absolutely vital role in child protection, but a minority of them have been making false allegations against innocent mothers for many years."Paediatricians fulfil an absolutely vital role in child protection, but a minority of them have been making false allegations against innocent mothers for many years.
"It is about time the medical establishment stopped defending these people.""It is about time the medical establishment stopped defending these people."
Dr Southall worked as a consultant paediatrician at London's Royal Brompton Hospital from 1982 before moving to the same post at the North Staffordshire Hospital in Stoke-on-Trent in 1992.Dr Southall worked as a consultant paediatrician at London's Royal Brompton Hospital from 1982 before moving to the same post at the North Staffordshire Hospital in Stoke-on-Trent in 1992.
The Staffordshire trust said it would now review Dr Southall's position. Trusts are not allowed to employ doctors without the appropriate professional registration.
In a statement it said Dr Southall's competence as a general paediatrician had not given cause for concern.
He has 28 days to appeal the GMC decision.He has 28 days to appeal the GMC decision.