Hashishi

Pathologist who attributed death to cannabis to have misconduct ruling reviewed
1-1-`08 | ThisIsLeicestershire.co.uk

A consultant pathologist who was found guilty of professional misconduct will discover whether he can practice without restrictions later this week.

Dr Louay Al-Alousi admitted the charge when he appeared before a General Medical Council hearing in January last year.

The doctor, who works for the University of Leicester and the University Hospital of Leicester NHS Trust, carried out flawed post-mortems on two teenagers.

He wrongly attributed their death to cannabis use. His mistakes were exposed by the parents of 16-year-old James Burgess, of Leicester Forest East.

James's parents, Paul and Joanne, enlisted their own pathologist, while a coroner had a third expert examine James.

Both agreed his death was due to an unsuspected heart condition.

At the inquest, cannabis was ruled out as a cause of death and the family's solicitor called for Dr Al-Alousi to be reported to the GMC.

Charles Winstanley, chairman of the GMC panel, said they were concerned Dr Al-Alousi had stuck to his conclusion after the other two pathologists had examined James.

The second case was similar, with Dr Al-Alousi wrongly blaming the death on cannabis.

Mr Winstanley told him: "Your conclusions were significantly flawed and inaccurate."

The panel placed restrictions on Dr Al-Alousi, which included formalising safeguards he had already put in place.

He also had to inform the GMC of any changes to his employment. On Friday, a GMC panel will review the case and determine whether restrictions can be lifted.

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Buzzby

A pathologist who falsifies the results of autopsies should lose his license and face criminal charges.

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