Fake shrink worked in Ayr
She played “Russian roulette” at Ailsa Hospital
A crooked psychiatrist who worked in Ayr put a patient and her family through hell, we can reveal.
Bogus Zholia Alemi worked at the Ailsa Hospital for 16 months without a shred of a qualification.
She was hired as a locum claiming she was a qualified psychiatrist.
And the niece of one female patient said: “What an absolute cow. We knew she was hopeless and nobody took us seriously.
“She played Russian roulette with vulnerable people.
“My mum and I always felt she was totally inadequate and complained about her at the time. My aunt’s psychiatrist was later changed.”
This week NHS Ayrshire and Arran apologised for the distress caused to all Alemi’s patients and have set- up a hotline to help.
Alemi, 56, came into the UK from her native New Zealand, and lied that she had a medical degree from Auckland University.
For some reason the General Medical Council registered her without carryout out proper checks.
She was able to practice for 22 years and worked in Ayr in 2007 and 2008.
Alemi was only caught and jailed when she tried to diddle a dementia patient’s £ 1.3m will.
The niece of the former patient believes Alemi could have left a lethal legacy. She said: “She played Russian roulette with all sorts of meds in a blind attempt to stabilise her.
“I honestly think she could have cost lives. If this was a paediatric doctor or an A& E doctor people would be up in arms.
“But she’s gone under the radar because mental health still isn’t viewed in the same way, even though these are arguably the most vulnerable patients. My aunt had me and mum to fight for her and she was eventually transferred to the care of another psychiatrist.
“But what about the poor people who don’t have anyone in their corner to fight for them?”
Dr John Taylor, NHS Ayrshire’s Associate Medical Director, Mental Health Services, apologised.
Dr Taylor said: “Zholia Alemi worked at NHS Ayrshire & Arran as a locum psychiatrist for approximately 16 months between 2007 and 2008.
“At the time, we confirmed she was registered with the General Medical Council ( GMC) before employing her.
“The GMC is the regulatory body which protects patients by ensuring all doctors are registered with a licence to practise before they can work in the UK.
“During her employment, there were no formal complaints raised against her.
“We would like to apologise for any distress this situation may have caused. If patients were treated by this individual and have concerns, we would advise them to contact ou rMental Health Services team on 01292 559863.”