GP’s suspension was rushed and unfair

6minutes news, 2012

The controversial suspension of Tasmanian GP Dr Paul McGinity was done too hastily and without giving him the chance to address allegations about mismanagement of several patients, an ombudsman has ruled.
In a  into the suspension of the solo Scottsdale GP in 2009, the ombudsman concluded that the Medical Council of Tasmania’s actions had been “unreasonable and unjust” and that the doctor’s sudden suspension without notice had been preceded by “totally inadequate preparation”.
The ombudsman noted the  suspension had been triggered by concerns from the other practitioners in the town that Dr McGinity was working excessive hours, not communicating with other practitioners and not keeping up with contemporary medical practice. 
In particular there were complaints about his referral of patients with chest pain to the Launceston General Hospital an hour away rather than to the local hospital just minutes away. 
The ombudsman said he could not understand the urgency of the suspension since the concerns had been around for several months, and he said Dr McGinity should have been given an opportunity to respond to the allegations and to continue in practice with restrictions rather than face immediate suspension. 
Members of the Medical Council responded by saying they were influenced at the time by community concerns around the case of Bundaberg surgeon Dr Jayant Patel and believed they had to act promptly and decisively to safeguard the public.
The controversial suspension of Tasmanian GP Dr Paul McGinity was done too hastily and without giving him the chance to address allegations about mismanagement of several patients, an ombudsman has ruled.
In a  into the suspension of the solo Scottsdale GP in 2009, the ombudsman concluded that the Medical Council of Tasmania’s actions had been “unreasonable and unjust” and that the doctor’s sudden suspension without notice had been preceded by “totally inadequate preparation”.
The ombudsman noted the  suspension had been triggered by concerns from the other practitioners in the town that Dr McGinity was working excessive hours, not communicating with other practitioners and not keeping up with contemporary medical practice. 
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