Cavan consultant before Medical Council hearing
A Medical Council inquiry has begun into allegations against a consultant obstetrician and gynaecologist, at Cavan General Hospital, relating to three women and childbirth, RTE News is reporting.
Dr Salah Aziz Ahmed is facing allegations of professional misconduct and poor professional performance.
The three cases relate to events between November 2012 and April 2014 at the hospital.
Two of the three patients are not being named.
In the case of Patient 3, it is alleged that on 26 April 2014, Dr Aziz failed to attend Cavan General to assess the patient within an adequate time frame.
It is alleged Dr Aziz failed to diagnose in a timely manner, that a catastrophic event in utero had, or was occurring, which required an urgent Caesarean Section.
It is also alleged Dr Aziz directed that the monitoring of Baby 3's foetal heartbeat be discontinued and that he failed to keep adequate medical records.
In the case of Patient 1, it is alleged that on 22 November 2012, Dr Aziz engaged in prolonged attempts at an operative vaginal delivery, in inappropriate circumstances and that he failed to proceed to Caesarean section with speed.
In relation to Patient 2, Deirdre Clarke has agreed to be identified.
It is alleged that between September 2012-June 2013, Dr Aziz failed to adequately counsel Ms Clarke of the risks of a vaginal birth, after a Caesarean Section.
It is also alleged he failed to cooperate with Cavan General's efforts to conduct a review of the case.
The inquiry is due to last 10 days and is to be held in three modules, dealing with each of the three cases.
The inquiry has heard that Patient 1 was 33 years old at the time and is now 37.
She was pushing in labour after induction for an hour, in a high-risk situation.
It is alleged that Dr Aziz should not have proceeded to try an instrumental delivery.
An emergency Caesarean Section was later performed, after a second operating theatre was opened.
The inquiry has heard that Baby 1 was delivered in a very poor condition and was transferred to the Rotunda Hospital, where little cerebral activity was found.
In conjunction with the parents, doctors decided to withdraw support and Baby 1 died on 24 November, 2012.
Barrister Lorna Lynch, for the Council, told the inquiry that the cause of death in the case of Baby 1 does not form any part of the allegations at this fitness to practise inquiry.
Eileen Barrington, senior counsel for Dr Aziz, said it was important to note that none of the criticisms in the case relate to the cause of Baby 1's death.
Patient 1 will not be attending the inquiry, or giving evidence but her medical records are being presented and staff involved will give evidence.
Ms Lynch, for the Council, said that Dr Aziz qualified in Egypt in 1980 and came to work in Ireland in 1988, working at a number of hospitals.
He was appointed to a permanent post as a consultant at Cavan in 2004.
A complaint was made to the Medical Council in September 2014 by the HSE relating to the three separate cases.
The inquiry is being held at a hotel in Lucan, Co Dublin