Oh, the irony......Baby P Doctor 'Too Ill To Defend Herself'

A doctor accused of failing to detect the abuse Baby Peter was
suffering is too ill to defend herself against the charge - and the
risk she may attempt suicide is "very real", according to a medical
report


Consultant paediatrician Dr Sabah al-Zayyat came in for heavy
criticism following the youngster's death at the hands of his mother,
her boyfriend and their lodger in 2007.

She had been due to appear before the General Medical Council (GMC)
accused of knowing Peter was on the child protection register but
failing to thoroughly examine him.

However, the council was told by lawyers that she has been taken ill
and is now too unwell to defend herself - and even to instruct
solicitors on her behalf.

GMC counsel Rebecca Poulet QC quoted a medical report that said:
"The pressure on (Dr Al-Zayyat) has been such that her mental health
has broken down completely, and the possibility of suicide is a very real one."





GMC panel chairman Ralph Bergmann adjourned the hearing briefly and
indicated he would hear more detailed submissions about Dr Al-Zayyat's
health in private.

Dr Zayyat is accused of not investigating the explanation for
Peter's injuries and not recording whether or not she believed he could
be a victim of child abuse.

It is also alleged she failed to diagnose that Peter had suffered
physical abuse, possible neglect and emotional abuse, and did not
arrange for him to be admitted to hospital.

She saw the boy - known initially as Baby P, but since named as
Peter Connelly - just days before his death at a clinic at St Ann's
Hospital in Tottenham in August 2007.

However, she decided not to check him over properly because he was
"miserable and cranky", and failed to spot that he had serious
injuries, probably including a broken back and fractured ribs.

The 17-month-old died two days later in a bloody cot, having
suffered 50 injuries despite receiving 60 visits from social workers,
doctors and police over the final eight months of his life

Dr al-Zayyat released a statement through the Medical Protection Society saying she had been "deeply affected" by the death.

"In my 28 years as a paediatrician I have been devoted to the care
of children and have always tried to do my best for them," she said.

"I have been and remain deeply affected by the shocking and tragic circumstances of Baby Peter's death."

Dr al-Zayyat qualified in Pakistan and worked in Saudi Arabia before coming to Britain in 2004.

She had her contract with Great Ormond Street Hospital terminated
after details of the case came to light - and was suspended from
practising medicine by the GMC.

She has since launched a claim for damages against the world-famous children's hospital over her dismissal.

A report by health regulator the Care Quality Commission last May criticised staffing levels at St Ann's.

She was one of only two consultants at the specialist children's clinic at St Ann's, when there should have been four.

His mother, Tracey Connelly, her boyfriend Steven Barker, and his
brother Jason Owen, were jailed at the Old Bailey last May for causing
or allowing his death

Awww poor her ...

It must be awful to not be able to 'defend yourself'

Are we expected to have sympathy?

Nope, point. laugh and hope it continues to be as hard as it is now and doesn't let up...

Its still only a speck of dust in comparison to what that poor mite suffered..

Here, here, I would defo taser her on full blast wake her up each time and taser her again