Northern Ireland

Former senior doctor criticised in hyponatraemia report to face no action by General Medical Council

Adam Strain (aged four) died in the Royal Belfast Hospital for Sick Children in 1995 following transplant surgery. His death was one of five investigated in a public inquiry
Adam Strain (aged four) died in the Royal Belfast Hospital for Sick Children in 1995 following transplant surgery. His death was one of five investigated in a public inquiry Adam Strain (aged four) died in the Royal Belfast Hospital for Sick Children in 1995 following transplant surgery. His death was one of five investigated in a public inquiry

A former senior doctor criticised in a public inquiry for protecting a hospital's reputation despite catastrophic failings that led to a child's death is to face no action by his professional body.

Dr George Murnaghan, a director of the former Royal Hospitals Trust, was among a group of doctors investigated by the General Medical Council (GMC) following the publication of the landmark hyponatraemia report two years ago.

The GMC has confirmed it is closing its investigation into Dr Murnaghan, who retired from the trust in 1997, as it has not found "evidence" that action is needed to protect future patients.

In a statement to The Belfast Telegraph, the retired trust chief described the decision as a "welcome conclusion" into this "unfortunate and tragic patient outcome".

The public inquiry report's chair, Sir John O'Hara QC, found that four children's deaths at the Royal Belfast Hospital for Sick Children were "avoidable" and that parents were "deliberately misled" by some administrators and medics.

In the case of Dr Murnaghan, who was in charge of risk and medication management, serious concerns arose following the death of four-year-old Adam Strain.

The "happy little boy" from Holywood died in November 1995 after renal transplant surgery, with the inquiry concluding his death had resulted from "negligent care".

His devoted mother, Debra Slavin, was not told about the failings and the case was never referred to the coroner.

Mr Justice O'Hara was particularly critical of mistakes by an anaesthetist involved in Adam's care, which were "so obvious".

"I do not know the full story of what went on in that operating theatre... but it was truly shocking," he said.

He added: "Lessons that could have been learned from his death were not shared."

During the 14-year public inquiry - the longest of its kind in Northern Ireland - Dr Murnaghan was probed about supervision and governance arrangements of medics involved in Adam Strain's care.

Giving evidence at a 2012 hearing, Dr Murnaghan said: "I did the best I could considering the circumstances."

However, the inquiry report found that he had "failed to place patient safety before other interests".

"I conclude that overall Dr Murnaghan engaged in a 'damage limitation' exercise to protect the reputation of the hospital," Mr Justice O'Hara said.

In a statement, a GMC spokeswoman said that a "number of investigations linked to the inquiry are ongoing".

But she said that in relation to Dr Murnaghan, the regulatory body after "carefully considering... did not find evidence that action would be necessary to protect future patients.".

She also said: "Our thoughts and sympathies are still with Adam Strain’s family, and all those affected by hyponatraemia-related deaths in Northern Ireland."

The GMC can only take action where there is a risk to future patients or public confidence, according to the professional body.

A decision to close an investigation "does not mean that the concerns were not serious".