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Thyroid Doctor Cleared By Patient Power GMC Rejects GPs' Complaints

Posted on: Friday, 1 July 2005, 09:01 CDT

A DOCTOR whose unorthodox methods brought him into conflict with his colleagues was back treating patients yesterday with the sanction of the General Medical Council.

Scot Gordon Skinner was accused of treating patients with a powerful drug to combat hypothyroidism when their condition had not been diagnosed conventionally.

He also failed to tell GPs about the hormone replacements pills he was giving their patients, the council's interim orders panel was told.

Complaints were made by fellow doctors who claimed Dr Skinner had issued thyroid drugs such as thyroxin in dangerous quantities that were outside recommended guidelines.

Dr Skinner, 63, appeared at a hearing in central London to face claims his fitness to practice was impaired amid the allegations of inappropriate treatment.

The panel had the power to impose restrictions on Dr Skinner's licence or even suspend him from practice pending a serious professional misconduct hearing at a later date.

Instead, they applied conditions which enable him to continue treating patients as long as certain procedures are adhered to.

Dozens of patients came from all over the country to support Dr Skinner at the hearing. The panel was told his methods assessed all the patient's symptoms, rather than just relying on blood tests which often did not indicate abnormal thyroid levels.

Many patients spent years suffering from symptoms such as depression and severe lethargy and even ended up in wheelchairs. They were not provided with drugs by doctors because the tests did not reveal thyroid problems.

But, after being prescribed hormone replacement therapy by Dr Skinner, they experienced dramatic improvements, the hearing was told.

Glasgow-born Dr Skinner, who practises from a private clinic in Birmingham, has a patient list of some 4000, most referred by their GP.

His methods have drawn criticism from some endocrinologists who claimed he is treating patients "unnecessarily and inappropriately and putting them at risk", said Stephen Brassington, for the GMC. The British Thyroid Association also wrote to the GMC, stating it had serious concerns about his practice.

Dr Skinner defended his methods and told the hearing:

"The evidence is mounting . . .

you cannot rely on thyroid chemistry to exclude hypothyroidism."

He denied failing to communicate with fellow doctors about their patients, and said his clinic had been approved by the health care authority after stringent checks.

Alan Jenkins, defending, said Dr Skinner had cured patients by using the method of treating the whole patient, not just a blood test result.

He added: "This doctor poses no risk to patients. The risk is the other way if you prevent him from treating them.

He has transformed their lives."

Robert Winter, chairman, told Dr Skinner he must accept only endocrinology patients referred from a GP and must inform the doctors of proposed treatment plans and his diagnosis. He was also told to keep a logbook of all patients seen and maintain clear and accurate records.

Source: Herald, The; Glasgow (UK)

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