Abortion doctor allowed to continue

Andrew Gbinigie will remain on the medical register

A doctor who pulled out a woman's ovary and part of her bowel during a botched abortion has escaped being struck off the medical register.

The General Medical Council (GMC) found consultant gynaecologist and obstetrician Andrew Gbinigie, 47, guilty of serious professional misconduct but ruled that he could carry out abortions if he abided by a series of conditions for three years.

Mr Gbinigie, of Barnt Green, Worcestershire, performed an abortion on a 20-week pregnant woman, identified only as Miss A, 21, in November 2000 that was beyond his clinical competence and technical expertise, the council's professional conduct committee sitting in London ruled.

During the abortion at Birmingham's private Calthorpe Clinic, Mr Gbinigie ruptured the patient's uterus wall, removed her right ovary and fallopian tube.

The committee find the operation on Miss A, though disastrous in its ultimate outcome, did not represent a pattern of incompetent surgery. Barbara Grant-Braham

It was only after he pulled out a piece of her bowel that he realised something was wrong and called for help from senior staff.

Miss A's life was only saved after three consultants at the Birmingham Women's Hospital carried out a five-hour emergency operation in which her right kidney had to be removed.

Committee chairman Barbara Grant-Braham told Mr Gbinigie he had been involved in a "significant breach" of the principles of good medical practice.

She said: "The committee find the operation on Miss A, though disastrous in its ultimate outcome, did not represent a pattern of incompetent surgery.

"The committee also heard that there has been no repetition of your improper conduct towards female colleagues."

Mr Gbinigie can continue to carry out abortions, whether in a private clinic or within the NHS, but only at sites which have immediate access to intensive care units and surgical experts, the committee ruled.

'Responsibility of each hospital'

Provided this condition is met he can carry out terminations on anyone who is less than 12 weeks pregnant without supervision.

Commenting on the case, Mr Peter Bowen-Simpkins, of the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists, said: "The college is deeply disturbed by this case and the severe consequences to the woman concerned.

"The college has guidelines regarding termination of pregnancy which clearly state that late terminations should only be carried out by specialist practitioners who have a sufficiently large case load to maintain skills and access to the necessary instruments.

"This guideline applies to all doctors working in both the NHS and private sectors.

"It is the responsibility of each hospital to ensure that the doctor has the necessary skills and that it is able to provide the appropriate equipment for all procedures."