'Slimming' doctor faces GMC hearing

Dr Raizada at a GMC hearing

The General Medical Council(GMC) has heard how a journalist posed as a slimmer to expose a doctor who ran several slimming clinics - including one in north Wales.

Amy Binns told the GMC how she arranged to see Dr Sudesh Madan, 52, in an attempt to gather information about her practice.

Dr Madan leaving court

Dr Madan, from Prescot in Merseyside, ran slimming clincs in Rhyl, Chester and Warrington along with her husband, Dr Surendra Raizada.

The pair face a series of allegations which could see them struck off the medical register for serious medical misconduct.

Dr Madan has admitted selling the now banned drug Duromine to five patients who were not obese, knowing this was not recommended.

The drug was withdrawn in April 2000 after it was believed to have links to fits, epilepsy and heart problems.

However, Dr Madan denies knowing that one of the patients she had allegedly supplied with the drug had epilepsy and another had high blood pressure.

Both doctors have denied they acted irresponsibly, made judgements that were against their patient's interest or made decisions that were clinically unjustified.

They have also denied serious professional misconduct.

I was told not to eat between meals, not to gobble and be a good girl

Amy Binns, undercover reporter

Dr Raizada has admitted selling the tablets from a car boot and supplying the drug to a woman who was not obese.

Different cases

Miss Binns, formerly with the Lancashire Evening Telegraph, told the GMC she went to the clinic with a colleague because they wanted to present two different cases - a woman with no problems who was overweight and an epilepsy sufferer.

During the hearing Miss Binns described the length of time most people were with the doctor as "a few minutes" although sometimes two or three went in at a time and she did not know whether all these were seeking a consultation.

Container of pills

It was claimed Dr Madan said she could take the reporter's appetite away and gave her a plastic bottle full of tablets.

Miss Binns said the doctor did not say anything about telling her GP and after she paid £20, she was told "not to eat between meals, not to gobble and be a good girl".

When Miss Binns returned on 10 May she asked if she could obtain a greater supply of the tablets, she was told it was possible to get 'up to six weeks.'

The hearing in London continues.