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14/04/2005
Discredited paediatrician to stay on medical register
A paediatrician who accused a man of murdering his two sons has avoided being struck off the medical register.
Professor David Southall accused Stephen Clark, the husband of solicitor Sally Clark, after watching a Channel 4 documentary on the case in 2000.
Mrs Clark received a life sentence for the murders of her sons, Christopher and Harry, in 1999. However, the Court of Appeal later quashed her conviction, when evidence emerged which showed that both children died of natural causes.
Professor Southall said that he believed Stephen Clark was guilty of the murder of the two children, after watching Channel 4’s 'Dispatches' programme in April 2000, which included an interview with Mr Clark.
Professor Southall was found guilty of professional misconduct by the General Medical Council last year and barred from working on child protection issues for three years.
Arguing that the penalty imposed on Professor Southall was inadequate, the Council for Healthcare Regulatory Excellence (CHRE) challenged the ruling.
In the High Court today, however, Mr Justice Collins said that Professor Southall’s removal from the medical register was “not required”. He also said he did not think it was “unduly lenient” to impose conditions on Professor Southall.
However, the judge did impose more strict conditions on the paediatrician, including a requirement he seek a second opinion from another doctor in cases where he believes a child is being abused. He will also be required to report to the GMC every six months.
The decision has been welcomed by both the GMC and CHRE.
(KMcA/GB)
Professor David Southall accused Stephen Clark, the husband of solicitor Sally Clark, after watching a Channel 4 documentary on the case in 2000.
Mrs Clark received a life sentence for the murders of her sons, Christopher and Harry, in 1999. However, the Court of Appeal later quashed her conviction, when evidence emerged which showed that both children died of natural causes.
Professor Southall said that he believed Stephen Clark was guilty of the murder of the two children, after watching Channel 4’s 'Dispatches' programme in April 2000, which included an interview with Mr Clark.
Professor Southall was found guilty of professional misconduct by the General Medical Council last year and barred from working on child protection issues for three years.
Arguing that the penalty imposed on Professor Southall was inadequate, the Council for Healthcare Regulatory Excellence (CHRE) challenged the ruling.
In the High Court today, however, Mr Justice Collins said that Professor Southall’s removal from the medical register was “not required”. He also said he did not think it was “unduly lenient” to impose conditions on Professor Southall.
However, the judge did impose more strict conditions on the paediatrician, including a requirement he seek a second opinion from another doctor in cases where he believes a child is being abused. He will also be required to report to the GMC every six months.
The decision has been welcomed by both the GMC and CHRE.
(KMcA/GB)
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