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Daniel Baber Watchmaker Court 33 St John's Lane London London, EC1M 4DB 020 7814 5489 |
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Blake Lapthorn, one of the leading law firms in the UK, is attending the 15 day General Medical Council (GMC) inquiry into the fitness to practice of Dr Gilles Dreyfus at the request of their client Mrs K, the widow of one of Dr Dreyfus's patients, Mr K.
Online PR News – 07-October-2010 –Blake Lapthorn, one of the leading law firms in the UK, is attending the 15 day General Medical Council (GMC) inquiry into the fitness to practice of Dr Gilles Dreyfus at the request of their client Mrs K, the widow of one of Dr Dreyfus's patients, Mr K.
The enquiry, which begins on Monday 20 September, will look into the fitness to practice of Dr Gilles Dreyfus, Consultant Cardiothoracic surgeon at UK centre of excellence for cardiac surgery, regarding alleged misconduct at Harefield Hospital in July 2007.
Caron Heyes, senior solicitor at Blake Lapthorn and head of the firm's Clinical Negligence team in London, is supporting the family of Mr K at the inquiry. The Fitness to Practice Panel will inquire into a number of allegations against Dr Gilles Dreyfus, in particular that:
At an out patient appointment Dr Dreyfus informed Mr K and his wife that he would carry out heart surgery on him and that he had great experience in performing this particular type of surgery. However, on the day of the procedure he said he would perform the operation using a minimally invasive method and did not mention that it would be the first time he had performed this method of surgery. It was a relatively new type of procedure in the UK and had not been used at Harefield before, therefore the lack of experience of the surgeon and the hospital staff meant it would carry a higher than usual risk for the patient.
It is also alleged that he failed to keep any adequate notes of his discussion with the patient or to provide appropriate time to reflect upon the proposed changes to the surgery that he would carry out.
It is further alleged that Dr Dreyfus failed to obtain informed verbal or written consent from the patient to conduct this procedure, in accordance with the guidelines laid down by the Harefield hospital and the GMC, and it is also alleged by the GMC that Dr Dreyfus performed the procedure without appropriate prior training, which meant that he was acting outside the limits of his competence.
Furthermore, it is alleged that Dr Dreyfus failed to inform the relatives within a reasonable period of time after the operation, which was performed on 3 July 2007, of the outcome of the surgery and the complications that had arisen. Mr K’s heart did not return to its normal function at the end of the operation, due in part to an excessively long operation time, and to it having been inadequately protected from injury during surgery.
Post surgery, Dr Dreyfus left the hospital and did not see Mr K's family. He did not ensure his junior surgeon saw them and they only received explanation from him as to what had happened after they saw him in the hospital canteen the following day and asked him to see them. Mr K never recovered consciousness. His condition deteriorated over the next few days and on medical advice his life support was switched off. He passed away on 7 July 2007.
Commented Caron Heyes: "The hearing will last up to 15 days. The family has also pursued a civil claim against the Royal Brompton and Harefield Trust, the employer of Dr Dreyfus at the time of treating Mr K, and this claim has been settled subject to court approval."
- ENDS –
Daniel Baber
Public Relations Manager, Blake Lapthorn
DDI: 020 7814 5489
Mobile: 07771 930 084
Email: daniel.baber@bllaw.co.uk
http://www.bllaw.co.uk
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