Death doctor 'on run in Bosnia'

The baby girl was delivered at St Peter's Hospital, Chertsey

A hospital doctor arrested on suspicion of manslaughter after delivering a baby girl who died within hours of birth is living abroad, a tribunal has heard.

Vladan Visnjevac allegedly used excessive force delivering Hollie Dinning at St Peter's Hospital, Chertsey, Surrey, in May 2002.

The General Medical Council (GMC) has started hearing a case against him in his absence.

Surrey Police said Dr Visnjevac was no longer thought to be in the UK.

A Fitness to Practise Panel was told at the hearing in London he was thought to be in Bosnia.

The hearing heard the accused was working as an obstetric registrar at the hospital on 24 May 2002 when a woman known only as Mrs W was admitted 37 weeks into her pregnancy.

Dr Visnjevac allegedly made three unsuccessful attempts at a forceps delivery, before delivering the child at 2226 BST.

This remains an active investigation Surrey Police

She died at 0210 on 26 May, the hearing was told.

Dr Visnjevac is accused of not properly assessing or recording the level and position of the head before forceps delivery, and not reassessing the clinical situation after the first attempt failed.

He allegedly used excessive force in the three unsuccessful attempts, and again when he did achieve delivery on the fourth attempt.

His actions are said to have been inappropriate and irresponsible and not of a standard expected of a registered medical practitioner.

Police called in

Surrey Police said the victim was named in 2002 as Hollie Dinning.

The force said it had been asked by the coroner to investigate the circumstances surrounding the death and arrested a man on 11 July 2002, on suspicion of manslaughter.

He was released on police bail and in December 2002 a warrant for his arrest was obtained.

"Officers have liaised with the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) about extradition from the country in which he is believed to be living," police said in a statement.

"The authorities in that country advised the FCO that they were not prepared to allow the extradition to proceed.

"This remains an active police investigation and we continue to liaise with the CPS, and to work with the FCO to resolve the situation."