Whistleblower Roll Call. Dr Mike Tobin

Dr Colin White.

This week, I am due to feature a number of cases initially written in Hospital Doctor on the 25th June 2005. This is because these cases are now not available on the internet. Essentially, there should be a record of all these cases so they are not forgotten.

The first one is the case of Dr Mike Tobin

" A senior medical manager is still in post after being found guilty of performing a flawed and unfair audit on a consultant claiming to be a whistleblower. The GMC found that Dr Colin White, then Clinical Director of Medicine at Pinderfields Hopistal, had given a distorted and misleading impression of physician Dr Mike Tobin's clinical competence. Dr White was promoted to associate medical director of Mid Yorkshire NHS Trust a few weeks before the GMC's finding of serious professional misconduct on 10th June. Dr Tobin says his concerns over equipment and poor surgical practise led to his victimisation. John Parkes Trust Executive has seen no reason to criticise Dr White's ability to practise clinically"
Tobin is a tough guy - and he hasn't given up. He is due to take his Trust to court under the Harassment Act 1997.

This is what he had to say

"Last night, Dr Tobin, 51, said: "This has been a very traumatic period for me and I very much regret the premature end of a career that I loved so much. The primary purpose of this civil action is to hold people to account for the harm they have done. "The vast majority of healthcare professionals do a good job. However, as in all walks of life, bad practice can occur which may continue despite individuals raising concerns in the local workplace. If bad practice persists – and especially when this compromises patient safety – it is a doctor's duty to whistleblow. It is very sad that whistleblowers have to sacrifice so much and have to endure such suffering in seeking a safe environment for patients."