A DOCTOR who prescribed the wrong drugs and performed surgery without qualifications has been stopped from practising without supervision.
The General Medical Council (GMC) made the ruling after "widespread deficiencies" were identified in his clinical practice.
Dr Arun Kuman Rauniar, a GP at Vicarage Road Medical Centre Leyton, since June 2003 was found to have dangerously prescribed the wrong drugs.He performed "inappropriate" surgery, including circumcision, at the Leyton surgery, falsely claiming to be a Fellow of the Royal College of Surgeons.
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He failed to assess and examine patients properly, held out-of date emergency drugs and did not consider it his job to deal with mental health issues.
A fitness to practice panel hearing told Dr Rauniar: "You lack insight into the risks to patients and, in general, you do not accept the advice of your peers.
"You are felt to have no insight into your low levels of competence."
They added: "You consider that your experience allows you to ignore some prescribing guidelines."
The GMC panel, sitting in Manchester in November and December last year and from April 23 to 26, also said Dr Rauniar had poor communication skills and "appeared to get angry and shout a lot".
He was also disciplined for using doctors trained outside the EU, who were not yet listed on the UK's medical register, to summarise medical notes.
In a series of competence tests, Dr Rauniar scored 56.5 per cent in knowledge, when the minimum standard required is 68.5 per cent; 54 per cent in observed clinical examinations, against a minimum of 70 per cent; and only 20.75 per cent in the simulated surgery test, against a minimum of 50 per cent.
Speaking for the GMC Craig Sephton QC said Dr Rauniar's fitness to practice was impaired and he should be struck off.
But in his defence Angus Moon QC said the panel's report was "fundamentally flawed" and the doctor's assesment was "not conducted in a fair and balanced way".
Mr Moon suggested assessors had a racial bias, and said they did not take into account that Dr Rauniar did not speak English as a first language and was on anti-depressants.
But the panel said that the assessment was fair and ruled that Dr Rauniar can not now practise without supervision for two years, and has to undergo comprehensive retraining.
This is ridiculous. He should have been struck off. In no other country would he still be allowed to address patients. Furthermore, what does 'without supervision' mean? I and any other patient would not want this Dr anywhere near me!
This is ridiculous. He should have been struck off. In no other country would he still be allowed to address patients. Furthermore, what does 'without supervision' mean? I and any other patient would not want this Dr anywhere near me!
Posted by: Abdul Choudhury, E17 on 3:17pm Thu 8 May 08
I find it shocking that he has not been struck off. I'm a first generation Asian guy and I find it difficult to communicate with my Indian doctor(I don't speak Hindi). I find it even stranger that this guy cited "a racial bias, and said they did not take into account that Dr Rauniar did not speak English as a first language and was on anti-depressants." Being on anti depressents and not being able to communicate should stop you from practising let alone being used as a defence! And the racism card is so over used that it's an insult to folks suffering real racism and weakens their arguments.
I find it shocking that he has not been struck off. I'm a first generation Asian guy and I find it difficult to communicate with my Indian doctor(I don't speak Hindi). I find it even stranger that this guy cited "a racial bias, and said they did not take into account that Dr Rauniar did not speak English as a first language and was on anti-depressants." Being on anti depressents and not being able to communicate should stop you from practising let alone being used as a defence! And the racism card is so over used that it's an insult to folks suffering real racism and weakens their arguments.
Posted by: Morris Hickey, Redbridge (Chigwell) on 5:26pm Thu 8 May 08
"Not conducted in a fair and balanced way"? Neither was this "fitness to practice panel", a self-contradictory name if ever there was one.
Political correctness has no plae in the practice and supervision of medicine. People like this incompetent doctor place patients' lives at risk, something the panel failed to see as a paramount requirement of the practice of medicine. Such doctors should be subject to immediate striking off and readmitted to the register only when they can prove that they have undertaken, and qualified in, appropriate training.
And well said Abdul Choudhury.
"Not conducted in a fair and balanced way"? Neither was this "fitness to practice panel", a self-contradictory name if ever there was one.
Political correctness has no plae in the practice and supervision of medicine. People like this incompetent doctor place patients' lives at risk, something the panel failed to see as a paramount requirement of the practice of medicine. Such doctors should be subject to immediate striking off and readmitted to the register only when they can prove that they have undertaken, and qualified in, appropriate training.
Well said on all points, Abdul. Why should people in poor areas have to put up with second-rate services?
I've got a lot of sympathy with GPs, but in cases like this I'm more concerned about the patients (many also Asian, not that it matters either way).
Well said on all points, Abdul. Why should people in poor areas have to put up with second-rate services?
I've got a lot of sympathy with GPs, but in cases like this I'm more concerned about the patients (many also Asian, not that it matters either way).
Posted by: G Pearson, Leyton on 7:06pm Thu 8 May 08
This case took over 5 years to get to a hearing for the GMC to reach this decision. Only one person took their complaint through to the GMC, although now confirmed there were very very many other complaints made against this doctor, If it wasn't for 'one' person painstakingly persuing a complaint through to the end this doctor would still be practicing now without the obviously necessary supervision he requires. Unless someone takes matters forward the GMC are unable to do anything!. We must all act on such persons. Persuing a matter such as this not at all easy and does take up a huge amount of time, work and frustration.
I suspect justice will be done - be it in in 2 years time - when he will surely be struck off !
Well done you !
This case took over 5 years to get to a hearing for the GMC to reach this decision. Only one person took their complaint through to the GMC, although now confirmed there were very very many other complaints made against this doctor, If it wasn't for 'one' person painstakingly persuing a complaint through to the end this doctor would still be practicing now without the obviously necessary supervision he requires. Unless someone takes matters forward the GMC are unable to do anything!. We must all act on such persons. Persuing a matter such as this not at all easy and does take up a huge amount of time, work and frustration.
I suspect justice will be done - be it in in 2 years time - when he will surely be struck off !
Well done you !
Posted by: Mr Khalid, walthamstow on 9:55pm Thu 8 May 08
meybe he no rells docator and he ned take testeded agen to show he no what he do becose meybe checkeded the wrong bodys and give the wrong druuggeds to the parson? hope he no exam me becose i say no to he look me
meybe he no rells docator and he ned take testeded agen to show he no what he do becose meybe checkeded the wrong bodys and give the wrong druuggeds to the parson? hope he no exam me becose i say no to he look me
This doctor was my GP. He was never rude to me durng that time. I find this article shocking as a patient. It sounds like a twisted version of the truth. How can people who have never met the doctor say such remarks. Its totally unfair. This sounds like a misuse of power by the NHS who should be assisting these doctors by providing more resouces and less bureaucratic middle management.
This doctor was my GP. He was never rude to me durng that time. I find this article shocking as a patient. It sounds like a twisted version of the truth. How can people who have never met the doctor say such remarks. Its totally unfair. This sounds like a misuse of power by the NHS who should be assisting these doctors by providing more resouces and less bureaucratic middle management.
This Doctor was my GP,
and he was absolutely horrible a very unpleasant person. He was always shouting he was not interested in dealing with my problems. When I complained about him to the various departments and finally complained the Parliamentary and Health Ombudsman they did sod all. Warning to all a very Dangerous and shoddy doctor.
This Doctor was my GP,
and he was absolutely horrible a very unpleasant person. He was always shouting he was not interested in dealing with my problems. When I complained about him to the various departments and finally complained the Parliamentary and Health Ombudsman they did sod all. Warning to all a very Dangerous and shoddy doctor.
Posted by: K Hansa, Leyton on 1:28pm Mon 12 May 08
This doctor is a horrible human being he can be loud,ignorant and a liar. I complained about his appalling treatment towards me to Waltham Forest Health Care Trust back in 2004 & they tried to ignore my plea. Eventually after involving the local MP, they set up a hearing & the two Indian doctors on the panel cleared Dr Raunair of any wrongdoing and making out that I was in the wrong. I appealed to the Parliamentary Ombudsman who were just as bad & cleared Dr Rauniar too even though I have offered to take a lie detecting test to prove that I was telling the truth about Dr Rauniar's bad attitude & unprofessionalism, besides I wanted to help other patients from his surgery not to go through the same horrible treatment that I was subjected to by Dr Rauniar. I have to thank the person who took the case to the GMC. Dr Rauniar should be routed out as he is not fit to practise as a doctor
This doctor is a horrible human being he can be loud,ignorant and a liar. I complained about his appalling treatment towards me to Waltham Forest Health Care Trust back in 2004 & they tried to ignore my plea. Eventually after involving the local MP, they set up a hearing & the two Indian doctors on the panel cleared Dr Raunair of any wrongdoing and making out that I was in the wrong. I appealed to the Parliamentary Ombudsman who were just as bad & cleared Dr Rauniar too even though I have offered to take a lie detecting test to prove that I was telling the truth about Dr Rauniar's bad attitude & unprofessionalism, besides I wanted to help other patients from his surgery not to go through the same horrible treatment that I was subjected to by Dr Rauniar. I have to thank the person who took the case to the GMC. Dr Rauniar should be routed out as he is not fit to practise as a doctor
Posted by: sharon, Walthamstow on 10:24pm Mon 12 May 08
I have been a long term patient of dr raunier and have never had any problems such as rudeness or shouting but was given more listening & understanding. ‘Sceptic’ from E17 mentioned having sympathy for GP’s…we fail to remember what pressure medical staff are under to keep us patients happy, especially the increasing number of immigrants in east london who fail to understand the complicated NHS system
I have been a long term patient of dr raunier and have never had any problems such as rudeness or shouting but was given more listening & understanding. ‘Sceptic’ from E17 mentioned having sympathy for GP’s…we fail to remember what pressure medical staff are under to keep us patients happy, especially the increasing number of immigrants in east london who fail to understand the complicated NHS system
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