Fake Doctor Treating Patients, Complaints to the Irish Medical Council
Bizarre/Strange
Thursday 14th, November 2024
The Medical Council has revealed details of a fake doctor treating patients without qualifications, as reported to the Garda last year (2023). This case, highlighted in the council’s latest annual report, involved a person posing as a doctor and delivering medical treatments to patients without any medical qualifications. The Medical Council, which has the authority to investigate cases of unqualified individuals practising medicine, referred the case for Garda (Irish Police) investigation.
This case was one of 32 investigations conducted by the council over the past year, during which it assisted the Garda in six separate criminal inquiries. The report also uncovered several individuals who were not registered to practice medicine in Ireland yet were treating patients without appropriate authorisation.
In total, 22 doctors faced sanctions last year due to misconduct or failures in professional standards, with four being struck off the register. The Council’s annual report noted that it had received 353 complaints last year, marking the highest number in five years. Of these complaints, 61 cases were escalated to the Medical Council’s fitness-to-practise committee, which reviews issues of professional competence and ethical conduct.
The council highlighted that the majority of complaints, totalling 273, were submitted by members of the public, followed by 32 complaints initiated by the Medical Council itself and 29 from other healthcare professionals. Communication issues, particularly in diagnosis and clinical investigation, were the most frequent subjects of complaints.
Dr Crowe, speaking on behalf of the Medical Council, stated, “Last year, the Medical Council received the highest number of complaints in five years, as well as experiencing increased complexity in the concerns or complaints we receive”.
The Council emphasised its commitment to ensuring that only qualified, registered practitioners provide medical care, particularly given the rising complexity and volume of public complaints.
This case was one of 32 investigations conducted by the council over the past year, during which it assisted the Garda in six separate criminal inquiries. The report also uncovered several individuals who were not registered to practice medicine in Ireland yet were treating patients without appropriate authorisation.
In total, 22 doctors faced sanctions last year due to misconduct or failures in professional standards, with four being struck off the register. The Council’s annual report noted that it had received 353 complaints last year, marking the highest number in five years. Of these complaints, 61 cases were escalated to the Medical Council’s fitness-to-practise committee, which reviews issues of professional competence and ethical conduct.
The council highlighted that the majority of complaints, totalling 273, were submitted by members of the public, followed by 32 complaints initiated by the Medical Council itself and 29 from other healthcare professionals. Communication issues, particularly in diagnosis and clinical investigation, were the most frequent subjects of complaints.
Dr Crowe, speaking on behalf of the Medical Council, stated, “Last year, the Medical Council received the highest number of complaints in five years, as well as experiencing increased complexity in the concerns or complaints we receive”.
The Council emphasised its commitment to ensuring that only qualified, registered practitioners provide medical care, particularly given the rising complexity and volume of public complaints.
