Doctor struck off after ‘qualified GP’ lie exposed

A DOCTOR who lied about being a qualified GP has been erased from the medical register.

Dr David Richard Foster, who worked at the Princess of Wales Hospital, Bridgend, stated that he was a general practitioner on two CVs in 2016 and 2017.

But a tribunal determined that Dr Foster was never registered as a GP and was being intentionally misleading and dishonest.

The tribunal heard that Dr Foster was writing medical legal reports, such as personal injury claims, at the time for a number of different agencies.

Miss Nowell, counsel, stated that Dr Foster was “falsely advertising himself and his services, likely in the hope of gaining further medico-legal instructions in the future”.

The tribunal’s report stated: “Medico-legal reports are the cornerstone of personal injury claims and the CV of an expert writing these reports is expected to be accurate.

“They are relied upon by road traffic accident victims, insurers, lawyers and the courts.

“Public confidence is bound to be adversely affected by Dr Foster’s conduct as patients attending appointments for their personal injury claims expected to be seeing a general practitioner.”

The tribunal, held by the Medical Practitioners Tribunal Service in Manchester, said Dr Foster’s actions would be considered “deplorable” by fellow members of the profession, particularly given his seniority in the profession as an experienced clinical radiologist.

Initial concerns were raised with the General Medical Council (GMC) on October 24, 2018 by a legal assistant at Intereurope AG European Law Service who queried whether Dr Foster was allowed to examine and compile reports for people involved in road traffic collisions.

In considering impairment, the tribunal also referenced Dr Foster’s previous fitness to practise history which stated that he was suspended for two months in May 2011 following four similar acts of dishonesty.

“Dr Foster had been suspended in the past for very similar misconduct and had little impact as he ‘reoffended’ five years later,” the tribunal report stated.

Despite making alterations to his CV since and apologising, the tribunal concluded that Dr Foster’s actions amounted to serious misconduct and directed his name to be erased from the medical register.

The report added: “In his CV from December 2, 2016, Dr Foster claimed to complete 800 medico-legal reports per year and had completed over 5,000 since 1999.

“The tribunal had serious concerns about the possible and potentially significant impact Dr Foster’s dishonest actions may have had.

“The tribunal noted that Dr Foster’s dishonest conduct represented a serious departure from good medical practice and he had also shown a deliberate disregard for the principles therein.”