Locum failed to spot tumour

Feb 2 2008 by Audrey Barton, The Journal

A DOCTOR specialising in ear, nose and throat problems could be struck off after allegations that he did not detect a patient’s tumour.

Dr Ejaz Ahmed Chattha had been working at Newcastle’s Freeman Hospital in 2006 when accusations that he lied on patient records and missed serious medical problems surfaced.

The General Medical Council (GMC) heard the locum doctor had not done enough to spot one of his patients had a tumour in his neck.

In a statement, the GMC said it was now investigating whether Dr Chattha’s conduct has been “inadequate, irresponsible, misleading and dishonest”. All the allegations relate to his treatment of three patients in the ear, nose and throat department at the Freeman.

On July 10, 2006, Dr Chattha was called to see a 91-year-old patient who was having difficulty swallowing. In his notes he indicated he had examined the patient and carried out a procedure known as a flexible endoscopy. It is now alleged the doctor, who qualified at the University of Punjab in India, did not carry out the procedure and examined only the patient’s neck. Relatives of the patient also complained Dr Chattha had been rude.

On a subsequent occasion he had spotted stridor – a breathing sound caused by severe lung or other problems – in a patient. It is claimed Dr Chattha did not notify a more senior member of staff and failed to discover the patient had a tumour near his vocal cords.

The final allegation is that Dr Chattha took a blood sample from a female patient’s groin area without requesting permission first.

An assessment of Dr Chattha’s capabilities by ENT consultant Frank Stafford, found he was “unemployable” and rated his performance as poor. Newcastle Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust said it could not comment at this stage. The case continues.