A surgeon made a string of sarcastic remarks to a junior doctor before he accidentally stabbed her in the forehead with a needle, a disciplinary panel has heard.
James Johnson, a former head of The British Medical Association, grew frustrated with colleagues during a heart operation at Warrington hospital.
The panel heard how the consultant accidentally stabbed first-year doctor Natalie Mason, who was assisting him, as he ‘furiously’ stitched up the patient.
Giving evidence, Dr Mason said the senior doctor vented his frustration, repeatedly referred to her as ‘sweetheart’ and at one point asked: “Didn’t you learn to sew at school?”
But she added that the stabbing was accidental, saying: “It was probably my own fault. My head was probably too close. I was about one or two foot away.”
The panel in Manchester heard how the surgeon had been frustrated that no senior doctors were available to assist him, and that there were delays in beginning the July 3, 2007, operation.
Nurse Janette Pennington claimed the doctor also reacted ‘aggressively’ after being denied water during the seven-hour op because of a policy barring food and drink from the theatre.
She said: “It is quite common to go without food or drink while scrubbed up for cases.”
Mr Johnson, 64, is also accused of ignoring warnings that a bulldog clip was still inside the female patient’s leg. An X-ray later revealed the instrument, and it was removed.
He faces a range of other charges regarding 14 patients between 2006 and 2008.
He is also accused of conducting amputations where less drastic procedures may have worked. Many of the alleged failings took place while he was travelling to London to attend BMA meetings, while also working at Warrington and Runcorn hospitals.
The six-week hearing at the General Medical Council offices is scheduled to last into November.
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