Hyponatraemia inquiry doctor in GMC probe

A SENIOR medic accused of withholding the truth about the death of a patient from an independent inquiry is being investigated by the General Medical Council (GMC).

Dr Robert Taylor was the anaesthetist in charge during a kidney transplant on four-yearold Adam Strain.

The youngster died from hyponatraemia on November 28, 1995, following surgery at the Royal Belfast Hospital for Sick Children.

His death was examined by the Hyponatraemia Inquiry, which scrutinised the care given to five children who died in Northern Ireland hospitals between 1995 and 2003.

Hyponatraemia occurs when there is a shortage of sodium in the bloodstream and can be caused as a result of receiving excess fluid.

The GMC is also investigating the actions of Dr George Murnaghan and Dr Joseph Gaston, who became involved in the case after Adam’s tragic death.

Dr Gaston, who retired in May 2005, was a consultant anaesthetist and clinical director of anaesthesia, theatres and intensive care at the time.

Dr Murnaghan, also retired, was director of medical administration at the Royal Group of Hospitals when Adam died.

Adam’s mum, Debra Slavin, last night welcomed the development and said she hopes the GMC carry out their investigation as quickly as possible.

“It is Adam’s anniversary next week so this has come at the right time,” she said.

“I feel like I can now look up now and tell him we’re still fighting for him.

“We still don’t know what happened to my son in his final hours.”

The three medics are the latest doctors to come under the spotlight after the publication of the highly damning Hyponatraemia Inquiry report in January.

It found that the deaths of four of the children, including Adam’s, were avoidable.

Publishing his findings, chair of the inquiry, John O’Hara QC, was particularly critical of the lack of information regarding Adam’s operation.

He said: “It might be expected that a detailed analysis of Adam’s surgery would allow a clear understanding of events in theatre.

“However, establishing exactly what happened during surgery has proved to be one of the most difficult areas of the inquiry’s investigation.”

He said “even the evidence identifying where the operation took place, when it took place and who was there, is worryingly unclear.”

Giving his assessment of Dr Taylor’s involvement in Adam’s case, Mr O’Hara said: “Dr Taylor’s management of Adam’s fluids before and during the surgery of November 27, 1995, defies understanding.

“In his oral evidence, Dr Taylor said he could not understand it either, nor could he explain or justify what he did or how he subsequently defended it.”

Mr O’Hara said that while he heard “a lot of evidence from Dr Taylor” he did not believe he “was told the full story”.

He continued: “Dr Taylor offered no insight into why he did what he did during Adam’s transplant.

“Dr Taylor made fatal errors in the treatment of Adam.

“I accept that this was most probably uncharacteristic and do not query his usual competence.

“However, and over and above the hurt inflicted on Adam’s family by his death, Dr Taylor caused significant additional pain by acting as he did to avoid his own responsibility.”

Dr Taylor is also being investigated alongside Dr Heather Steen for their treatment of nineyear-old Claire Roberts less than a year after Adam’s death.