Gynaecologist who lied to patient about operation at north London hospital loses bid to have ban lifted

"An independent tribunal last year found that Dr Sohier El-Neil had led a woman to believe she could surgically remove all of her vaginal mesh in one operation despite knowing it was not possible. After the operation the woman, known only as Patient A, even checked with her doctor to confirm if she had removed all of the implant, to which the doctor said yes'. But several months later, the patient learned she would be coming back to the operating table."

"The Medical Practitioners Tribunal (MPT) said Dr El-Neil did not get informed consent from the woman who had explicitly voiced her wish to have the entire mesh taken out. Dr El-Neil, a consultant gynaecologist at University College London Hospital (UCLH) in Camden, also repeated her fiction to NHS colleagues. Vaginal meshes have in the past been used for urinary incontinence and pelvic organ prolapse, but their use has been restricted in the UK since 2018 after some women experienced chronic pain and other life-changing effects."

Dr Sohier El-Neil led a patient to believe all vaginal mesh would be removed in a single operation despite knowing this was not possible. Patient A checked after surgery and was told the implant had been fully removed, but months later learned further surgery would be required. The Medical Practitioners Tribunal found that Dr El-Neil did not obtain informed consent and repeated a false account to NHS colleagues. Vaginal mesh use was restricted in the UK since 2018 because some women experienced chronic pain and severe complications. The tribunal found serious misconduct, a dishonest operation report, and imposed a nine-month suspension that was later extended.

Read at www.standard.co.uk