Doctor was a potential ‘risk to his patients’

A DOCTOR who, it was alleged, was a potential “risk to himself and his patients” was found guilty of poor professional performance at a Medical Council fitness to practise inquiry in Dublin yesterday.

Dr Alabi Emmanuel Gbadebo, aged 49, did not attend the inquiry.

The hearing heard there were no incidents of patient harm reported against the doctor, who was employed by Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital in Drogheda in July 2010 but dismissed on August 13 because of allegations concerning his professional performance.

Dr Máire Milner, consultant obstetrician at the hospital, said Dr Alabi, who was originally from Nigeria, had worked for a short period in Castlebar, Co Mayo, and at the end of June 2010 was asked to start at Our Lady of Lourdes in Drogheda as a senior hospital officer.

She said: “We were in this extraordinary situation where we were so short. It would be unique for us to employ somebody without having spoken to someone where he previously worked. Our HR department always seeks references but I was not aware of any feedback from Castlebar.”

Dr Milner said that shortly after Dr Alabi joined the staff “it became immediately obvious to all of us there were problems”.

She had spoken to him on two occasions and brought it to his attention that no matter how simple a matter he was asked to do, if he was uncertain he needed to be absolutely sure before he did it as safety was paramount.

He was amazed and shocked at this, apologised and fervently said he would take on board all criticism. He agreed he needed training in relation to certain matters.

Dr Ya Kamal, consultant obstetrician at the hospital, said that on the third week of Dr Alabi’s employment, he had some difficulties regarding his skills.

On a few occasions Dr Kamal noticed that he was not writing down some important points and he had to dictate to him what to write in the patient’s notes.

He said Dr Alabi had very good English and could communicate well but there was difficulty in teaching him and Dr Kamal believed it was possible he was a slow learner.

As regards surgery, he said Dr Alabi “hardly washed his hands” and he (Dr Kamal) showed him how to put on the gloves and especially in caesarean section situations he could be “a bit messy”.

Dr Azez Rahman told of the difficulties Dr Alabi experienced concerning intravenous injections and “looked like a beginner” in this regard, he said.

Dr Seosamh Ó Coigligh, consultant gynaecologist, met Dr Alabi on July 23 and questioned him about his clinical abilities and his deficiency in suture taking. He told Dr Alabi a programme of supervision was being put in place. Dr Ó Coigligh said his assessment was that Dr Alabi was in a situation where there was a potential that he was “a risk to himself and his patients”.

While finding Dr Alabi guilty of poor professional performance, the inquiry found him not guilty of professional misconduct and the decision was referred to the Medical Council for consideration.