LETTERS Clinical judgments
Sir: It is not possible for me to ignore the untrue accusations in your article 'Now then, what seems to be the trouble?' (29 July). I regret that I did remove the ovaries from a patient at the time of hysterectomy, thinking that they were diseased and believ- ing that this operation, followed by oestro- gen replacement therapy, was for her long- term benefit. It was done without her spe- cific consent and damages were awarded to her in an undefended civil action. I clearly made an error of clinical judgment, which I deeply regret, but to state that there was a commercial reason for this action is quite untrue.
The obligation of confidentiality prevents me from responding in any detail to the other case referred to by Mr Palmer. How- ever, I can say that her complaints have been thoroughly investigated by several dif- ferent authorities and none was upheld.
If Alasdair Palmer had contacted me, I would have been able to correct him. A more commonplace view would be that my work and research in many areas of gynae- cology have had an extremely beneficial influence on the health of women. Even though your article refers to me as a 'pio- neer of HRT', I do not have or ever have had a car registration of 'FIRT 1'.
If you add to this a clinical research out- put of more than 300 papers, being the author and the editor of more than 20 books and the only NHS gynaecologist for many decades to be awarded a Doctor of Science degree, you can understand how I feel badly used by your article.
Alasdair Palmer need not worry because the GMC is very tough on aberrant doctors; it can, if it sees fit, restrict or curtail their practice. Perhaps similar sanctions should apply to careless journalists?
John Studd The Lister Hospital, Chelsea Bridge Road, London SW1
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