Medical inquiry told consultant is ‘caring, diligent’

Expert witnesses appeared before the Medical Council inquiry yesterday as the case into Dr Mohammad Ilyas Khan continued.

Dr Khan, from Tipperary, faces allegations of poor professional performance, specifically in relation to a two-year-old boy, ‘BT’, who was born on June 15, 2012.

BT’s mother, Noelle Tobin, made the complaint against Dr Khan, who was practising as a locum consultant paediatrician in South Tipperary General Hospital, Clonmel at the time of the baby’s birth.

The allegations claim that Dr Khan did not put an adequate treatment plan in place following the baby’s birth and diagnosis of hypoxic ischaemic encephalopathy (hypoxia). Specifically, it is alleged that he failed to make sufficient arrangements so that the baby could receive hypothermic or ‘cooling’ treatment.

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Research indicates the cooling treatmentcan potentially reduce the extent of brain damage following a lack of oxygen to the brain.

BT has since been diagnosed with cerebral palsy.

Dr Elizabeth O’Mahony, a paediatric neurology consultant in Limerick,was contacted by Ms Tobin’s sister, Dr Niamh Carroll, after she became very concerned about the baby’s condition.

The two doctors had worked together in Boston, where Dr O’Mahony had trained in the cooling treatment.

Dr Carroll arranged for Dr O’Mahony to speak with Dr Khan on June 16, purely in her capacity as a family friend.

Dr O’Mahony said Dr Khan told her, “The baby’s fine.” She said when she asked if the baby was seizing at that moment, Dr Khan answered, “No, not right now.”

Dr John Murphy, a consultant neonatologist at Holles Street,

told the inquiry he believed it was appropriate the baby was transferred on June 17 to avail of the NICU facilities and staff expertise at Holles Street. Dr Murphy said: “His condition had gotten worse.”

A later MRI scan indicated BT had suffered brain damage as a result of the lack of oxygen during birth.

Midwife Brid O’Mahony spoke highly of the care Dr Khan provided to BT, saying, “I have the highest regard for his care with this baby.”

Paediatric registrar Dr Alan Clarke also spoke very highly of Dr Khan, saying: “I would 110% say Dr Khan is the most caring, diligent consultant I have ever worked with in my career.”

Dr Khan will address the inquiry next month.

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