RCPI president resigns after Neary inquiry

The president of the Royal College of Physicians of Ireland (RCPI), Dr John Murphy, has resigned following the recent finding of professional misconduct made against him by the Medical Council.

Dr Murphy was one of three consultant obstetricians who provided reports in 1998 which exonerated the practice of Dr Michael Neary after examining a number of cases of caesarian hysterectomies carried out by Dr Neary at Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital in Drogheda.

In a statement yesterday Dr Murphy said that as president of the RCPI he led an organisation which was "absolutely committed to setting and maintaining professional standards for doctors".

"I have always endeavoured to act with honesty and integrity in my own professional life as an obstetrician and gynaecologist.

"Nevertheless, I now believe that I cannot allow the recent findings of the Medical Council against me to compromise in any way the reputation of the Royal College of Physicians of Ireland.

"I have, therefore, resigned as president."

Dr Murphy, who is a consultant obstetrician at the National Maternity Hospital, Holles Street, in Dublin, said he would not be making any further statement on the issue.

The resignation of Dr Murphy was welcomed yesterday by Patient Focus, the group which represents women affected by the practice of Dr Neary.

Sheila O'Connor of Patient Focus said the resignation showed that Dr Murphy had "taken responsibility".

It was "the right thing to do and a brave thing to do", she said.

Ms O'Connor said the two other obstetricians, Dr Bernard Stuart and Prof Walter Prendiville, who provided reports on Dr Neary, should also acknowledge that they had acted wrongfully.

Dr Murphy was elected president of the Royal College of Physicians of Ireland last October.

Earlier this month the Medical Council upheld a finding of professional misconduct made by its fitness to practise committee against Dr Murphy, Prof Prendiville and Dr Stuart, arising from the reports they had prepared in relation to Dr Neary's practice.

The fitness to practise committee had recommended that Dr Murphy be admonished in relation to his professional conduct.

However, the full Medical Council decided not to impose sanctions.

Transcripts of the fitness to practise hearing, which were released by the Medical Council last Friday, revealed that Dr Murphy had been asked to carry out a report on the practice of Dr Neary by the secretary general of the Irish Hospital Consultants' Association, Finbarr Fitzpatrick.

Dr Murphy told the hearing he was reluctant initially to draw up a report but had been persuaded after a number of phone calls.

He had been asked for an immediate report.

Dr Murphy said that there was no template for such a report and that it was very much "a type of 999 call".

He said when he met Dr Neary he did not carry out an in-depth analysis of the relevant cases.

"I would have to say that this was based on a lot of mutual trust," he told the hearing.

In his report, Dr Murphy said it was his conclusion that Dr Neary should continue to work in Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital pending any formal investigation.

"It would be wrong to put restrictions on his practice and it is my view that the mothers of the North Eastern Health Board are fortunate in having the service of such an experienced and caring obstetrician," he wrote.