Consultant gynaecologist loses court challenge against suspension

A consultant gynaecologist has lost a High Court challenge against her suspension by the Medical Council over her treatment of three patients, including a woman who later died.

Dr Andrea Hermann was reported over the care she provided to seven patients at the privately run Galway Clinic, Doughiska, between February 2005 and November 2008.

Last May, the fitness to practice committee made a finding of professional misconduct against Dr Hermann in relation to three of her patients.

One, 39-year-old Saundra O’Connor from Claregalway died in February 2008, three years after an operation carried out by Dr Hermann.

The mother of two developed septic shock after the procedure and spent the remainder of her life in a vegetative state.

Last June on foot of the findings, the Medical Council suspended Dr Hermann for a year and ordered she retrain for a further three years.

Today she lost an appeal against the severity of the decision, with Mr Justice Peter Charlton ruling that the sanctions were proportionate and justified as her case fell very firmly within the most serious category of misconduct.