Mersey doctor "lacked basic medical skills", hearing concludes

Jan 31 2008 Liverpool Daily Post

A DOCTOR who lacked the most basic medical skills had her wish granted yesterday when she was thrown out of the profession.

Nirmal Chawla “could not function effectively, efficiently and safely” and lacked the skills to assess patients, arrange their treatment, organise her work or communicate properly.

Chawla was first referred to the General Medical Council (GMC) by the former St Helen’s and Knowsley Health Authority in Merseyside in 2001, and in March 2002 performed dismally in a GMC assessment.

The GMC found she was “seriously deficient” in the areas of organisation, consultation, communication, knowledge of medicine, and ability to handle emergencies.

There was also “cause for concern” over her ability to assess patients, arrange treatment, arrange investigations, engage in training and management issues, and use resources sensibly.

In October that year she was ordered to do extra training and in later review hearings was told she should work in supervised role.

But despite the extra training the GMC found Chawla to be even more incompetent in August 2004 and she should not be allowed to work unsupervised as a GP.

In July 2005 Chawla joined the Haughton Thornley Medical Centre in Manchester as a GP and the GMC suspended her from working as a doctor for a year from October 2006.

The panel said Chawla could not cope with the job at Haughton Thornley Medical Centre and could have breached her conditions of practice by signing prescriptions independently.

At yesterday’s hearing, the GMC heard Chawla had actually asked to be struck off the medical register and the panel agreed the move was necessary for the protection of the public.

Michael Williams for the GMC said Chawla showed “significant and wide-ranging deficiencies in fundamental areas” which made her incapable of treating patients.

“Dr Chawla has shown a persistent and continuing lack of insight and has failed to take up opportunities available to her to allow her to address her deficiencies,” he said.

Chair of the panel Sheleen McCormack said it would be “unsafe” for Chawla to practice as a doctor.

“Dr Chawla has significant and wide ranging performance deficiencies that have not been remedied since 1999, despite intensive developmental work and considerable educational input,” she said.

Chawla did not attend the London hearing.