Protecting Consultant’s Reputation

was held on
Wednesday 24th October 2007
at The King's Fund

This was a very interesting meeting with intense discussion and detailed questioning of the speakers by the audience.

Dr. Gerard Panting opened the meeting with a presentation of the Chief Medical Officer’s consultation paper. He explained the implications of this on the GMC and the profession. Of particular concern to all doctors were the changing standards of proof proposed for the profession in GMC style cases, the role of affiliates and the methods of revalidation and recertification.

Mr. Magnus Boyd, solicitor of Carter Ruck spoke about ways in which doctors may be defamed or libelled and explored some of the legal pathways and pitfalls that can be followed.

Mr. Anthony Haycroft, is a barrister concerned with medical defence work and spoke from vast experience about the GMC role and some of the difficulties which doctors may face. He gave several pointers for successful practice including the need for detailed note taking and the need for chaperones during examinations.

Mr. Humfrey Hunter, a PR consultant, gave an interesting talk about a variety of PR disasters which have occurred to famous scientists, entertainers and sportsmen and explained ways in which doctors may act both proactively and retroactively when faced with media or other adverse publicity.

During the questioning there was clearly concern on the part of the audience about many of these issues and the fact that the profession may be inhibited in its response by reason of confidentiality. Notwithstanding this there was general agreement that with the proper use of legal and PR mechanisms the profession can do much to prevent many of these attacks which are so often biased and unwarranted.

Background of Speakers

Mr Magnus Boyd

Solicitor-Advocate of Carter-Ruck. Advises a wide range of clients on all aspects of defamation, privacy and reputation protection. Has obtained numerous apologies, settlements and damages awards from newspapers and broadcasters for high-profile individuals and companies. Particular expertise in injuncting individuals, national newspapers, magazines, broadcasters and ISP's from publication of private and confidential data including photographs and personal details. Instrumental in obtaining the first 'John Doe' injunction in this country against an unknown party for breaches of confidence and copyright. The 2007 edition of Chambers & Partners notes he has carved a niche in medical matters.

Mr Anthony Haycroft

Called in 1982, Tony has extensive experience in trials involving civil and criminal jurisdictions. He defends doctors and dentists at the GMC and GDC in disciplinary work and is experienced in both claimant and defendant work in the areas of clinical negligence and personal injury.

Mr Humfrey Hunter

Humfrey Hunter is a PR consultant and director of Hunter Profiles Ltd. He is a former national newspaper journalist who reported for the Sunday Times, the Sun and the Evening Standard before moving into PR. At his previous company, Humfrey represented, among others, Wayne Rooney and Coleen McLoughlin as well as various ad hoc crisis management clients. Having set up Hunter Profiles last year, Humfrey now specialises in crisis management and promotional publicity campaigns. He also works in tandem with lawyers on occasions when clients need expert strategic advice on protecting their public profiles in the media before, during and after cases.

Dr. Gerard Panting

Gerard qualified in 1976, from Charing Cross Hospital Medical School. After 11 years in clinical practice he joined the Medical Protection Society, where, over almost 20 years, he held a number of posts including Head of the UK Division and Communications and Policy Director. Gerard left MPS last year to develop TWG Resources, a specialist healthcare education and risk management company, and part of his remit there is to chair the Federation of Independent Practitioner Organisations Clinical Governance Advisory Committee. In addition to his medical qualifications, he holds a master’s degree in medical ethics and law and in 2005 was made a founding fellow of the Faculty of Forensic and Legal Medicine.

Original agenda