By MARTIN JOHNSTON
Northland gynaecologist Dr Graham Parry relied excessively on ultrasound examinations of patients, the Medical Council concluded when it put his work under supervision.
The finding, from a council competency-review committee, was aired yesterday at a hearing on Dr Parry's bid to overturn his interim suspension by the Medical Practitioners Disciplinary Tribunal.
The tribunal reserved its decision last night on Dr Parry, who is employed by Northland Health and National Women's Hospital in Auckland, mainly doing ultrasound testing and diagnosis of foetal abnormalities.
On grounds of public safety, the tribunal suspended Dr Parry on September 8, ahead of a hearing next month on his treatment of Paihia woman Colleen Poutsma, aged 47, who has terminal cervical cancer. He had been under supervision since July.
Dr Parry admits assessing and treating her inadequately, but denies that it amounts to disgraceful conduct, the charge brought by the director of proceedings in the Health and Disability Commissioner's Office.
The review committee, convened after adverse findings by the commissioner in Mrs Poutsma's case, found Dr Parry relied excessively on ultra-sound scans in cases of genital-tract bleeding, such as Mrs Poutsma's.
It also decided that, based on his inadequate record-keeping, some of his gynaecological patients "may be at risk," although, from his oral answers, he deserved a slightly better grading: "below average."
The lawyer for the director of proceedings, Matthew McClelland, told the tribunal that it would cause bewilderment to Dr Parry's patients if the suspension order was revoked without any change in the circumstances on which it was based.
But Dr Parry's lawyer, Harry Waalkens, said sworn statements from three obstetrician-gynaecologists showed that Dr Parry's work posed no threat to the public and that Northland women were disadvantaged by his suspension.
And more than 100 Northland patients and health workers had written letters testifying to his good qualities as a doctor.
He said the suspension and media "frenzy" were a ghastly attack on Dr Parry's reputation.
Doctor 'put too much faith in ultrasound'
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