Cosmetic surgeon bugged meetings with 200 patients
A LEADING cosmetic surgeon bugged the appointments of 200 patients at her clinic during a feud with a colleague, a tribunal heard.
Dr Natalie Blakely, who is known as The Skin Queen, made the secret recordings after she fell out with the unnamed male doctor over his fees.
She believed he was under-charging for procedures at the Light Touch Clinic, in Weybridge, Surrey, whose clients have included former EastEnders actress Martine McCutcheon.
After the recordings were discovered and patients complained, Dr Blakely claimed they had been sanctioned by a barrister, the General Medical Council and the Care Quality Commission, it is alleged.
But a hearing of the Medical Practitioners Tribunal Service in Manchester was told there was no evidence that the GMC or CQC had approved her recordings.
Dr Blakely, who was once named Best Doctor for Botox and Fillers by Tatler, admits making the recordings but denies they breached patient confidentiality. She could be struck off if found guilty of serious professional misconduct.
One woman, known as patient A, said she felt ‘uncomfortable’ that her private consultation with the medic, known as Dr B, was recorded without her knowledge.
‘I have never met Dr Blakely and I didn’t know I was being was recorded,’ she told the panel. ‘I felt very annoyed. I did not ask to be recorded. I feel very uncomfortable about the whole thing.’
A graduate of the medical school at King’s College London, Dr Blakely is a former Harley Street surgeon, having also worked for the NHS in Kent. She founded her anti-ageing
‘I feel very uncomfortable’
clinic with her sister Katie Warr, a lawyer, in 2009.
The clinic specialises in noninvasive procedures and cosmetic treatments including facials, eyebrow threading and massages. Treatments can cost several thousand pounds.
Gavin McBride, representing the GMC, said an investigation was launched into Dr Blakely’s conduct in October 2015 after it emerged that recordings existed of conversations between patients and Dr B, a former director at the clinic.
‘Around 200 patients were in these recordings, made without their knowledge or consent,’ Mr McBride said.
‘They had the belief they would be heard in privacy as they would be discussing private matters, such as health records.’
Mr McBride said some patients became aware their consultations had been recorded and wrote to Dr Blakely to complain. These were compiled by her husband, Michael Geary, 56, also a director of the clinic.
Mr McBride said all those who complained received a reply from Dr Blakely stating that ‘ advice was sought and taken from a QC, GMC and the CQC’ and that confidentiality rules had not been breached.
Mr McBride added: ‘I find it difficult to believe these recordings were sanctioned by the GMC. Most of the patients of Dr Blakely were caused distress and some proceeded to make further complaints against her. The GMC could also find no contact in regard to covert recording. There was no advice sought, taken or given by the GMC or CQC.’
The hearing was told that the relationship between Dr B and Dr Blakely was ‘acrimonious’ and they remained in dispute.
Dr Blakely had complained to police about Dr B and initiated a civil claim against him. This concerned ‘ an allegation of under-funding and under- charging by Dr B which had led the company to a financial deficit,’ Mr McBride said.
The hearing continues.