October, 2004: Mellor reports Dr Southall's boss to the GMC

The following article, reproduced courtesy of Staffordshire Sentinel News & Media, appeared in the Staffordshire Sentinel on October 13, 2004

SECOND TOP DOCTOR TO FACE COMPLAINTS

By Dave Blackhurst

THE top doctor at the University Hospital of North Staffordshire has been reported to a disciplinary body by parents opposed to the work of its controversial paediatrician David Southall. Dr Pat Chipping became the hospital's second successive medical director in four years to face complaints lodged with the General Medical Council in the fall-out from the furore surrounding the child health specialist.

In the latest complaint, a parents' leader has claimed Dr Chipping misled the GMC's Professional Conduct Committee in the summer as it decided how to punish Professor Southall, who it had just found guilty of serious professional misconduct.

After hearing more than 80 testimonials to the quality of his work and evidence from Dr Chipping that no complaints about him had been received since 2001, the GMC allowed him to keep his job.

But the panel banned him from child protection work for three years - a penalty which has been referred to the High Court amid concerns it is too lenient.

The case was brought after Professor Southall watched a television documentary on how Cheshire solicitor Sally Clark was fighting a conviction of murdering her two children - and then told police her husband Steve was the real killer.

He told the three-week hearing that he had acted solely to protect the Clarks' third child, who was under Mr Clark's care. The intervention sparked child protection proceedings, which ruled he could keep the infant. Mrs Clark was released from jail after winning her appeal. Professor Southall was suspended from his job in 1999 after patients complained about his work, but was re-instated in 2001 when a £1 million inquiry found no wrongdoing.*

During the GMC hearing in August, Dr Chipping pleaded with the panel not to strike him off as he was such a hard-working, enthusiastic and competent paediatrician, adding that no complaints had been made against him since his return.

But Penny Mellor, leader of child advocacy group Dare To Care, has now told the GMC that she herself had made new complaints about the paediatrician to Dr Chipping.

Her letter to the council states: "She misled the panel into believing there were no concerns about Professor Southall at any time after his reinstatement.

"Not only did I formalise two complaints, one of which was copied to the GMC, but I handed a second set of complaints personally to Dr Chipping during the hospital's annual meeting in September 2003." Mrs Mellor said today: "This is so vital because by keeping the GMC in the dark about the new complaints, they did not have the full facts when deciding to keep him on the register."

A GMC spokesman said: "We are aware of these concerns and are looking to see what action, if any, may be necessary."

Dr Chipping said today she was not allowed to comment but would be prepared to speak after the GMC had completed its deliberations.

Last year, however, she said: "I can see nothing new in these complaints that was not covered in the first investigation, and I do not intend to hold a second one."

She had told the audience at the annual meeting: "We have held a very detailed investigation on his work. External bodies provided expert advice to the Trust. We found there were no serious allegations that could be substantiated."

* Note: actually, the suspension of Southall and another doctor followed complaints by Penny Mellor.

Click here to read Trust’s response