April 18, 2024

Putting patient care first

Xavier Symons

A British cosmetic surgeon has been struck off the register for putting commercial interests before patient care.

A British cosmetic surgeon has been struck off for putting commercial interests before patient care.

The UK’s Medical Practitioners Tribunal Service found that Dr. Krishna Murthi Nulliah of Harley Health Clinic had “subordinated his proper responsibilities as a doctor to the pursuit of a commercial enterprise.”

Four women who had attended Dr. Nulliah’s clinic testified to various instances of misconduct. Dr. Nulliah failed to adequately examine patients, take a proper history, or obtain informed consent.

All four patients reported that he had failed to discuss the risks of surgery or alternatives such as dieting and exercise. When one patient said that she wanted more time to consider, Nulliah told her that his diary was booking up quickly and that she would need to leave a 50% deposit to secure the date.

He offered another patient a discount if she opted for more extensive surgery than originally requested.

Dr. Nulliah denied any negligence, and argued that patients didn’t need a ‘cooling off’ period.

Barrister David Kyle, the chair of the panel, rejected Nulliah’s defence. “Patients who seek out cosmetic treatment may well have underlying anxiety and worries, which may in turn render them vulnerable . . . Dr Nulliah should have recognised this.”

Medical law expert Julianne Moore welcomed the decision as a reminder of the paramount importance of patient care.

“Patient safety rather than commercial gain must be the top priority of all surgeons, regardless of whether they work in the private sector or NHS.”

Xavier Symons
https://www.bioedge.org/images/2008images/cosmetic_surgery2.jpg
Creative commons
cosmetic surgery
professional misconduct

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