Inquiry begins into doctor’s performance

A Medical Council inquiry has begun into allegations that a doctor provided sub- standard care to six patients in Sligo and failed to disclose previous sanctions made against her.

Dr Andrea Hermann, who previously worked as an obstetrician and gynaecologist at Sligo University Hospital, is facing allegations of professional misconduct and poor professional performance in a number of clinical claims in relation to the care she provided to six patients between August 2013 and February 2014.

In the case of Patient A, it is alleged that Dr Hermann, who worked in Sligo from July 2013 to May 2014, failed to perform an elective caesarean section with due skill, in that she made an abnormal wound incision during the operation in December 2013.

In relation to Patient C, it is alleged that Dr Hermann failed to establish whether a Mirena coil was still in place during a follow- up appointment. Patient C later conceived, and miscarried, the inquiry heard.

Another allegation claims that Dr Hermann failed to display any surgical skill when closing a uterotomy during a procedure undergone by a Patient F.

Dr Hermann also faces allegations relating to the disclosure of conditions that were applied to her registration with the Medical Council to Sligo General Hospital.

Senior counsel Patrick Leonard, speaking on behalf of the Medical Council, said Dr Hermann was also the subject of a previous Fitness to Practice inquiry at the Medical Council, in 2009 and 2010.

The inquiry heard that Dr Hermann, who was not present, admits to a number of the clinical allegations, and that they amount to poor professional performance.

However, she has not made any admissions regarding the allegations concerning the conditions attached to her registration.

Her solicitor, Gerard O’Donnell, read out a statement on behalf of Dr Hermann, before going off record.

In it, Dr Hermann said that as a result of events following the previous inquiry in 2009 and 2010, she suffered from severe depression and was “traumatised”.

Addressing the Medical Council in her statement, she said: “It feels to me you are disappointed that I’m still alive.”

In light of the admissions, the Council agreed to strike out a number of the allegations.