Disgraced Bristol doctor faces medical tribunal
Dr Anthony Dixon has already been sacked by the North Bristol NHS Trust for harming hundreds of women
A medical tribunal has begun, looking into the conduct of a Bristol doctor.
Anthony Dixon, who cared for patients at Southmead Hospital and the private Spire Hospital in Clifton is facing a hearing from the Medical Practitioners Tribunal Service in Manchester into various allegations.
They include that between 2010 and 2016 Dr Dixon failed to provide adequate care for six patients by failing to ensure operations were totally necessary, failing to adequately advise them on alternative options and failing to get informed consent before performing the procedures.
Dr Dixon was sacked by the North Bristol NHS Trust in 2019 after an inquiry by the Trust found more than 200 women were harmed through unnecessary pelvic floor operations carried out between 2007 and 2017.
Many of the women had complained to the Trust that the operations had left them in severe pain, with The Guardian reporting in 2017 that 100 of them were suing Dr Dixon for medical negligence.
The tribunal starting today is due to last for more than two months until 24 November.
The full allegations are that between 2010 and 2016 Dr Dixon failed to provide adequate clinical care to six patients in a number of areas:
- Failing to ensure procedures for some of the patients were clinically indicated
- Failing to adequately advice some of the patients regarding options for treatment
- Failing to obtain informed consent before performing clinical procedures
- Failing to adequately perform a procedure for one patients
- Failing to provide adequate post operative care for some of the patients
- Failing to communicate appropriately with some of the patients and their family members
It is also alleged that Dr Dixon faced an assessment by the General Medical Council in November and December 2018 which found his performance was unacceptable in the following areas:
- Assessment of pelvic floor patients
- Clinical management of pelvic floor patients
- Working with colleagues
His performance was also found to be of concern regarding maintaining professional performance, clinical management of emergencies and relationships with patients.