Radiologist 'risked lives'

A GMC committee is holding a hearing

An Aberdeen doctor failed to spot cancers in nine patients, a hearing has been told.

Dr Frank Smith, 59, is said to have risked the lives of scores of others.

He is appearing before the professional conduct committee of the General Medical Council (GMC).

Dr Smith took bowel X-rays of such poor quality that the disease "could easily have been missed" the committee was told.

The consultant radiologist gave the all-clear to 45 patients but nine later died from cancer.

The examination was of a very poor standard

Dr Keith Harris

Dr Smith performed the x-rays, which are used to detect irregularities such as bowel cancer, at Woodend Hospital in Aberdeen between 1997 and March 2000. He admits serious errors in relation to 40 patients.

There is no evidence that delays in the treatment of the cancer patients contributed towards the cause of death, the GMC heard.

The doctor, who remains at Woodend Hospital, faces further allegations that he failed to recognise and work within the limits of his professional competence.

Dr Smith, of Cults, Aberdeen, denies serious professional misconduct.

Dr Frank Smith "missed cases of cancer"

Giving evidence Dr Keith Harris, 44, a consultant radiologist, criticised Dr Smith's work.

Dr Harris described specialist bowel cancer scans, known as double contrast barium enemas (DCBEs).

He said: "Some were of very poor quality.

"There was a significant chance pathology could have been missed."

The committee has heard Dr Smith, 59, had an international reputation in radiology.

However he had not undertaken the scans for 18 years when he took up his post in Aberdeen.

Dr Harris, a consultant radiologist at Leeds Teaching Hospital, examined the X-rays of 43 patients seen by Dr Smith between 1997 and 2000.

'Poor standard'

He explained that for an adequate examination to be carried out, the consultant's scans should fulfil six criteria set out by experts.

In Dr Smith's work, none of the checkpoints was fulfilled in 29 patients - only three scans satisfied all six criteria, Dr Harris said.

In the patient notes of an 18-year-old boy, who had undergone a barium enema, the doctor had written "no abnormal findings".

Dr Harris told the hearing: "Pathology could have been missed. The examination was of a very poor standard."

He explained that some areas of the patient's anal system could not be seen on the X-rays.

Dr Harris said: "He should not have been given the all-clear."

The Royal College of Radiologists was called in to review 374 scans performed by Dr Smith over the three years following concerns raised by colleague.

Nine cases of missed cancer were found out of scans of 45 patients identified as "particularly concerning".

The hearing in central London continues.