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Two doctors at the centre of a critical review of the Rheumatology Department are "no longer undertaking clinical work" – but Government officials have declined to confirm whether they are still officially employed or not.
Following the release of the preliminary findings of the review on Thursday, the Interim Chief Officer for Health said today that the notes of all patients seen by these two doctors – including both rheumatology and non-rheumatology patients – will now also be reviewed.
The audit also suggested that the findings may be symptomatic of other "serious" problems in Health.
However, the department said that it was "too early" to establish whether anyone had suffered harm as a result of "inappropriate" prescribing.
Pictured: Chris Bown, Interim Chief Officer for Health and Community Services.
Christopher Bown, Interim Chief Officer for Health and Community Services, said: “Yesterday, HCS announced the preliminary findings from an audit of the patient notes of approximately 340 rheumatology patients. We also indicated the need for a wider review of patient notes.
“In the interests of openness and transparency we can confirm that the review involves the practice and record keeping of just two doctors in the period before January 2022. Neither of the doctors were locums, and they are no longer undertaking clinical work with HCS.
“We will now be reviewing the notes of all the rheumatology patients seen by these doctors, and since they also treated a number of non-rheumatology patients we will be reviewing the notes of these patients too.
“I would like to take this opportunity to extend my thanks to the rheumatologists who have joined our rheumatology team in recent months.”
When asked by Express if either of the two doctors were still employed or being paid by the Health department, the Government said that it was unable to comment on individual HR matters. It has also not been revealed whether any disciplinary action is underway.
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