Liz Farsaci
A GP appeared before a Medical Council inquiry on Monday over her care of an elderly female patient who later died of advanced colon cancer.
Dr Intan Besri, a general practitioner working as a locum at the College Gate Clinic at Ballymun Road, Glasnevin, Dublin, faces six allegations of poor professional performance in relation to Breeda Fayne, who was seen by the GP on two occasions between February and April 2012.
Mrs Fayne, who died in February 2014 at the age of 69, made a complaint to the Medical Council in a letter dated April 2013.
She said she went to visit Dr Besri in February 2012, complaining of pain on her left side. Dr Besri requested an abdominal MRI for Mrs Fayne but, instead, an MRI of the pelvis was performed, for reasons unknown to the inquiry.
In her letter, Mrs Fayne said her pain worsened throughout the year and, in November 2012, she visited another doctor. Some investigations were performed and, in December of that year, she was advised that she had advanced colon cancer.
In a responding letter to the council, Dr Besri defended her treatment of Mrs Fayne, and said she told Mrs Fayne to return if her symptoms persisted.
The inquiry heard that, prior to receiving her cancer diagnosis, Mrs Fayne also attended another clinic, where she spoke about her colon-related complaints in greater detail than she did when she visited Dr Besri.
Tom Hogan SC, for the Medical Council, emphasised that it was not the organisation’s case that any of the failures by Dr Besri had a causative effect.
Rather, it is alleged that Dr Besri failed to take an adequate history from Mrs Fayne during her February 2012 visit, form a differential diagnosis, develop an appropriate management plan or arrange for initial investigations or tests.
Other allegations relate to alleged failings to properly document Mrs Fayne’s medical history or examinations performed.
The inquiry continues Tuesday.