Paediatrician backs expert panel move

A CONSULTANT paediatrician who won his court battle over being struck off the medical register has welcomed a move to establish new guidelines for doctors in child protection cases.

Dr David Southall said the General Medical Council decision to appoint an expert panel was "exciting", but he also warned that child protection work was "almost dangerous" for doctors, because it brought them into contact with "criminal" families.

On Tuesday the Court of Appeal overturned a decision which resulted in Dr Southall being struck off over an allegation that he accused a mother of murder.

Dr Southall pursued legal action following a decision of the GMC's fitness to practise panel to strike him off – a decision which was upheld by a High Court judge last year.

The case arose after the paediatrician had been asked to provide an independent report relating to the safety of the surviving son of Mrs M.