Professor Monica Spit-ieri

Professor Monica Spit-eri

Professor in Respiratory Medicine Research theme: Imaging & Diagnostics - Lung Research Group Institute for Science & Technology in Medicine, Keele University Guy Hilton Research Centre, Thornburrow Drive, Hartshill Stoke-on-Trent, ST4 7QB UK +44 (0)1782 553024 +44 (0)1782 747319 monica.spiteri@uhns.nhs.uk or m.spiteri@virgin.net

GMC Reference Number 2532419 Given Names Monica Surname Spiteri Gender Woman Registration Status Registered More Details Primary Medical Qualification MRCS 1980 Royal College of Surgeons of England LRCP 1980 Royal College of Physicians of London Provisional Registration Date 01 Feb 1980 Full Registration Date 03 Feb 1981 Specialist Register entry date Respiratory medicine From 05 Jul 1996 GP Register entry date This doctor is not in the GP Register Information for Employers Details

This is Monica Spit-eri, Professor of Respiratory Medicine. In 1998, she was Consultant on Ward 87. As consultant Monica was responsible for the care of patients on the ward. Monica was not liked by her patients on Ward 87. Monica was also concerned at the level of litigation on her ward. Many patients wanted to complain about Monica's attitude and did. Monica was never concerned about the lack of basic care, the lack of basic equipment and the number of patients who died on the ward. Monica turned a blind eye and continued with her research. Monica was never interested in patients of course, she was interested in being Professor Spit-eri. Monica failed to report patient EP to the Coroner in 1998 despite the episode being fraught with the lack of basic equipment and staff. Monica also failed to do anything to solve the situation on Ward 87. Monica Spit-eri was non contactable in an emergency despite the GMC Guidance in New Doctor. Consultants should always support their junior doctors. Monica though felt she didn't have to. That's because Monica liked her research.

After the 2005 critical report came out, the GMC jumped on the 5 year rule and said that the complaints and findings should be screened out without investigation. It is interesting that the 5 year rule makes no difference in the Henshall case against the Department of Paediatrics.

The General Medical Council purports to work for the " public's interest". The GMC paid no attention to the neglect accepted by Professor Spiteri. The public may wish to look at the GMC's guidance on this issue "

Raising concerns about patient safety – paragraph 6

1. If you have good reason to think that patient safety is or may be seriously compromised by inadequate premises, equipment, or other resources, policies or systems, you should put the matter right if that is possible. In all other cases you should draw the matter to the attention of your employing or contracting body. If they do not take adequate action, you should take independent advice on how to take the matter further. You must record your concerns and the steps you have taken to try to resolve them.

This is why it is an irony that Dr Spit-eri was placed on a Respiratory Ward. She may have worn pearls, tottered in her suits as a tubby but stumpy consultant but we all know the patients hated her. There was a reason for that. Some patient testimonies will be placed on line soon. It also shows that the GMC ignore its own guidance when its convenient to them. At the time, no male consultant wanted to criticise Monica because of her reputation and fiery attitude. Monica should be struck off but she remains researching and on and is happily on the GMC register. Some people would say she is better out of "real medicine". We wonder if the public agrees with the GMC's decision? We wonder if the dead patients and those who were neglected agree with the GMC's decision?