Radiologist suspended from practicing medicine due to concerns over mental health
Clare Hartigan, MD, a radiologist at University Hospital Kerry in Ireland, has been temporarily suspended from practicing medicine due to concerns over competence.
Ireland’s Medical Council noted concern over Hartigan’s “health and welfare, that she had impaired judgment and there was a risk to patients if she continues to work without appropriate assessment,” reported the Irish Times.
A manager of University Hospital Kerry complained that Hartigan “failed to meet the standards of competences that could reasonably be expected of a consultant radiologist in the performance, carrying out and reporting of radiological examinations.”
The manager’s complaint allegedly noted there were multiple incidents where diagnostic error led to “serious harm” to patients. Additionally, the complaint alleged, there were 30 incidences where Hartigan’s work could have led to patient harm.
Hartigan has disputed the complaints and noted the reporting of 37,000 exams in one year—which the Irish Times reported is almost half of the workload of five radiologists combined.
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As a senior news writer for TriMed, Subrata covers cardiology, clinical innovation and healthcare business. She has a master’s degree in communication management and 12 years of experience in journalism and public relations.