Key IVF doctor witness criticised

Mr Taranissi denies the charges

A key witness at a disciplinary case against one of the UK's leading fertility doctors has a poor memory, a hearing has been told.

The woman, known as IK, has alleged Mohamed Taranissi applied inappropriate pressure to persuade her to be treated with an IVF drug.

Nicola Davies QC, for Mr Taranissi, told the General Medical Council it was "likely" that IK had seen someone else.

But the woman denied this, saying there was "no question" it was Dr Taranissi.

Ms Davies suggested it was Professor Alan Beer, a Chicago-based doctor who is now dead, the woman had seen.

What has become very clear is that your memory is less than perfect Nicola Davies QC

Prof Beer regularly visited Mr Taranissi's Assisted Reproduction and Gynaecology Centre (ARGC) in London.

After IK repeatedly failed to remember appointment dates and other details, Ms Davies said: "What has become very clear is that your memory is less than perfect."

Ms Davies produced medical records from King's College Hospital NHS Trust which showed IK had refused treatment at the hospital in 2005 and a letter of complaint to Lister Hospital, in London, dated March 2005.

"The point I have made is you are a woman well able to speak up for herself if you are unhappy with the treatment you are receiving."

Ms Davies also produced a letter from Lister Hospital dated 23 June 2004 which offered IK an appointment with its fertility department.

Ms Davies said IK had contacted the Lister Hospital after an appointment with Mr Taranissi where she was told treatment to control her cycle was not working and she needed to start again.

It was during this meeting, also on 23 June 2004, that IK alleged Mr Taranissi said she should not complain if she failed to get pregnant or suffered another miscarriage as she had refused Humira, which is not licensed for fertility treatment.

Earlier, another woman accused the doctor of dismissing her health fears.

Mr Taranissi is said to have told the woman, who complained of vomiting, that she had a "mental block" about her treatment. She later ended up in intensive care.

Accused

Mr Taranissi is accused of failing to keep proper medical records, carrying out inappropriate tests and acting in an insensitive manner.

He denies the accusations.

It comes after Mr Taranissi's premises were raided last year by the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority (HFEA) - on the same day that a BBC Panorama programme broadcast allegations about his conduct.

However, the High Court later ruled that the HFEA raids were unlawful.

And, in November, Mr Taranissi reached an agreement over a libel complaint against the fertility watchdog, which admitted he had done nothing wrong in offering reproductive immunology treatments.

Mr Taranissi is also suing the BBC over allegations made in Panorama.

A total of 92 current and former patients of Mr Taranissi have signed a petition in support of the doctor.