‘Families with sick children let down by health care system’
VULNERABLE Guernsey families with seriously sick children have been failed by safeguarding practices of the island’s health care system, a deputy claimed yesterday.
Deputy Gavin St Pier and his family ultimately received an apology after an incident in 2015 where they believed their youngest daughter was misdiagnosed and they sought a second opinion.
He said a follow-up complaint ‘triggered a bizarre, Kafkaesque safeguarding investigation, which our GP described as the weaponisation of the safeguarding process’.
He had thought the matter was closed, but in the past year he had been approached and had supported three families making similar complaints, and, he said, he was aware of others who had faced the same kind of issues. All had sought second opinions on diagnoses.
The complaint raised by the further three families led to a formal investigation, which was referenced in the latest ‘Responsible Officer’ report, prepared by States medical director Dr Peter Rabey, relating to the regulation and revalidation of doctors, which Deputy St Pier had sought to have debated by the States.
The conclusion in the Responsible Officer report was that no substantive concern was upheld against a doctor involved, who received ‘words of advice in relation to the concern’.
Deputy St Pier’s attempt to secure a debate ultimately failed by 28 votes to 10.
He told colleagues said it would be a way for the States to support the Responsible Officer and the Health & Social Care Committee, and also to hold to account both parties, the Medical Specialist Group, its paediatrics team, safeguarding lead, and he used parliamentary privilege to name who he called the doctor in question, consultant paediatrician Sandie Bohin. Dr Bohin has been with the MSG since 2009 and has held a number of senior positions.
‘This annual report is one of the few tools that the community has to ensure that clinical care, governance and culture of our healthcare system is as it should be,’ Deputy St Pier said.
‘We know there have been egregious failings in our safeguarding culture and processes, and their weaponisation has not only wasted precious and limited resources, it’s also prevented children and families from being kept safe,' Deputy St Pier said.
In the States meeting, Bailiff Richard McMahon kept a tight rein on Deputy St Pier’s approach and Health & Social Care president Deputy Al Brouard fought desperately to avoid debate.
‘There are occasions when concerns are raised about clinicians and when that occurs the Responsible Officer’s annual report provides a high-level overview of concerns that have been raised about doctors in relation to their capability, conduct or health,' Deputy Brouard said in a statement issued after the meeting.
‘The investigation referenced in the Responsible Officer’s 2021 annual report concluded that there was no impairment to that doctor’s medical practice.'
HSC is actioning recommendations from another report, he added, largely relating to ensuring consistent application in processes around safeguarding.
An MSG spokesman said last night that it was 'committed to maintaining the highest possible standards'.
It also said it was 'very disappointed' over Deputy St Pier's comments in the States.
'Making such a statement in the States Assembly is an inappropriate use of parliamentary privilege.'
