Doc who threw cup at woman keeps job
MEDIC HAD ‘DIFFICULT DAY’
A TOP Tyneside doctor who bruised a woman he threw a cup at “after a long and difficult day” can keep working.
Dr Richard Fielding is a consultant nephrologist who treats patients suffering from chronic kidney disease.
He was cautioned last summer following a nine-day police investigation after he threw the cup at an unnamed woman with “the intent of shocking them” but not to hurt her.
“Although I accept my behaviour in respect of the incident was inappropriate and although I was horrified by my actions, I do not consider the incident impairs in any way my fitness to practise medicine,” Dr Fielding said.
“I understand from a legal perspective that common assault is not considered ‘a serious offence’ and at no time do I accept I have ever presented a risk to the members of the public, whom I serve.”
Dr Fielding is the clinical lead at the Peritoneal Dialysis Clinic, part of Newcastle upon Tyne Hospitals NHS Trust, which specialises in the renal replacement therapy peritoneal dialysis in patients with end-stage kidney disease.
A Medical Practitioners’ Tribunal heard he had slashed his “very heavy” workload in a bid to manage his stress, a move which also cut his wages.
He referred himself to occupational health for support as well as the General Medical Counsel following the caution, and was described as “open and candid at all times”.
Supporters also gave character references for Dr Fielding at the threeday Manchester hearing.
One, a clinical director, wrote: “During the period I have known Dr Fielding, his professional conduct has at all times been exemplary.
“He is an intelligent, level-headed and hard-working physician. He has an excellent working relationship with the other health professionals within his department. He receives very good feedback from patients.
“I have always found him calm, mannered and thoughtful. I have never witnessed or heard report of him showing any verbally or physically aggressive behaviour whatsoever.”
He was interviewed by police following the incident on June 7 last year involving the female, referred to as Ms A. The tribunal’s report said: “There was a disagreement between
himself and Ms A and in his ‘frustration after a long and difficult day,’ he threw a cup towards Ms A ‘with the intent of shocking them and trying to break the impasse between us.’
“He states there was no intention to cause any harm but regrettably as the cup hit Ms A on the arm, a bruise became apparent a few days later.
“Dr Fielding states he voluntarily attended a police interview on 20 June, 2018 where he immediately accepted his behaviour was inappropriate and that he was horrified by his actions, hence his decision to accept the caution and to take full responsibility.”
However, a three-person panel has
ruled his actions were not impaired – meaning he can continue working – after his legal counsel, Andrew Crammond, said the doctor had shown “both insight and remediation” following the incident while glowing testimonies had shown he was a wellthought of doctor with much to offer.
The report added: “The testimonies demonstrate Dr Fielding is a competent and conscientious practitioner and the actions that led to his caution do not reflect any pattern of violent behaviour, but rather support the view this was a momentary lapse in judgement on Dr Fielding’s behalf, the results of which were entirely unintentional.”