Blunder doc rapped for 'a catalogue of mistakes' EXCLUSIVE.

Byline: BY JONNY GREATREX

A MIDLAND doctor who delayed the diagnosis of a patient's prostate cancer by two years is to continue practising medicine.

Dr John Fry, from Leicester, was hauled in front of health bosses at the General Medical Council after a string of complaints against him.

One expert witness told a fitness to practice hearing last week that the treatment of one of his patients, diagnosed with cancer two years after first seeing him, was 'catastrophic'.

His handling of three other patients was also criticised by the panel.

They were told that Dr Fry had ignored the advice of consultants about prescriptions, lost records and failed to act on test results.

And the panel heard that an inspection of the surgery by Eastern Leicester Primary Care Trust even found medical records locked in a consulting room in bags marked 'waste'.

But instead of suspending the doctor, the GMC decided to impose conditions on his practice, meaning he is now free to continue in medicine.

Known only as Patient D, the man suffering from prostate cancer first sought help from Dr Fry in November 2004 at the Rushey Mead Health Centre in Leicester.

He had blood in his urine and an enlarged prostate.

But, despite carrying out tests which should have alerted Dr Fry to the possibility of prostate cancer, the panel heard that no referral to a specialist was initially made.

And further results from the patient's samples, taken in August 2005, were not recorded in his medical file.

Even when a referral was finally made the doctor provided only vague details to the specialist, saying Patient D had presented with blood in the urine 'a few weeks ago'.

By January 2006 an appointment for him to see a specialist had still not been arranged.

Despite knowing this, Dr Fry took no further action.

It was only when Patient D saw the practice locum that he was sent to see a specialist and, in February 2006, was diagnosed with prostate cancer.

The GMC panel said: "We were particularly concerned by your care of this patient.

"You missed two obvious opportunities to make a diagnosis and to ensure that a referral was made in good time.

"Dr Gerada, an expert witness called on your behalf, described the errors in your treatment of this patient as 'catastrophic'."

It was just one of a catalogue of mistakes made by Dr Fry. His handling of three other patients was also examined.

The panel found Dr Fry had ignored the advice of consultants about prescriptions, lost patients' records and failed to act on test results.

Inspectors for Eastern Leicester PCT found medical records locked in a consulting room in bags marked 'waste' in January 2006.

"The panel has determined that your clinical practice has been shown to be deficient on a number of occasions," said the GMC panel.

"You have offended against many of the fundamental principles of good medical practice and providing good clinical care.

"Your performance over several years has been deficient to varying degrees with varying consequences. It has been found not to be in the best interests of your patients and below the standard expected of a registered medical practitioner."

Conditions imposed on Dr Fry by the panel include him having his work supervised, having extra tuition by a Postgraduate Dean and notifying the GMC if he applies to work abroad. He will have his performance assessed in 12 months time when the restrictions may be lifted.

A leading patient protection group slammed Dr Fry's performance.

"This is a very serious series of errors committed by this doctor found guilty of misconduct," said Michael Summers, vicechair of the Patients Association.

"They (the GMC) seem to have given him the benefit of the doubt in the hope he can put his house in order in the next 12 months."

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SURGERY: Rushey Mead Health Centre