Tuesday 11 December 2007

David Southall struck off medical register - Reported In 'Family Law Week'

Full Article and Credits:
http://www.stopinjusticenow.com/News_0678.htm
Professor David Southall has been struck off the medical register. The move followed a verdict of serious professional misconduct for his role in a case where he falsely accused a woman of drugging and killing her 10 year old son. He had previously been found guilty for the same charge for his role in the Sally Clark case.
The verdict has caused concern among a number of paediatricians. Dr Patricia Hamilton, the President of the Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health, was "saddened" by the decision, adding that
"David Southall has made a major contribution to child health both nationally and internationally and has been a strong advocate for children during a distinguished career.
Sadly there are circumstances where parents may have harmed their children, and in these situations health professionals have a statutory duty to act on their concerns and look after the best interests of the child. This is clearly defined in the Government's document 'Working Together to Safeguard Children'.
We are very concerned that paediatricians and social workers will be deterred from undertaking child protection work, and that children and young people may come to harm."
Other paediatricians have also voiced their concerns in the national media. Nigel Speight, a retired paediatrician, has written a piece published in The Observer in which he says that the decision has left the profession in despair. Professor Southall also defended himself on the Today programme on Thursday 6 December claiming that

No comments: