Abortion hearing has ended

Press, 3 September 1986, Page 29

Abortion hearing has ended

PA Invercargill A two-day hearing by the Medical Practioners’ Disciplinary Committee into complaints against a former Invercargill pediatrician, Dr J. E. McArthur, ended on Friday in Invercargill. The hearing, before a three-man committee and chaired by an Auckland doctor, Dr D. L. Richwhite, was heard in camera. It is understood that several witnesses, including a detective from the Invercargill C.1.8.,.and the head of Wellington’s neonatal unit, Dr David Drabyn, gave evidence. Dr McArthur is believed to have faced complaints about his conduct from the parents of an aborted baby; from two certifying consultants, Dr G. D. Henderson and Dr B. J. H. Insull, and from another pediatrician, Dr J. H. Van der Westhuyzen. The complaints of the parents include allegations that Dr McArthur was guilty either of professional misconduct or of conduct unbecoming in his dealings and communications with the father, in reporting the abortion to the police, and making details of the investigation available to the media, either directly or indirectly. The complaints of the three doctors allege professional misconduct or

conduct unbecoming in notifying the police without advising the doctors concerned, in Dr McArthur’s dealings with Doctors Henderson and Insull, and in his dealings with the parents. Complaints Dr McArthur had lodged against Dr Insull and Dr Henderson relating to the lawfulness of the termination were adjourned.

Dr Richwhite said there would be absolutely no comment made about the hearings.

After the committee notifies each party of its findings they have a month to appeal.

Normally, findings are published in the “Medical Journal.”