Surgeons were “fall guys” for a wider problem, inquiry told
BMJ 1999; 319 doi: https://doi.org/10.1136/bmj.319.7218.1152 (Published 30 October 1999) Cite this as: BMJ 1999;319:1152- Clare Dye, legal correspondent
- BMJ
Phil Hammond, author of the column in the satirical magazine Private Eye that first revealed problems in paediatric cardiac surgery in Bristol, told the inquiry into children's heart surgery services in the city that he was surprised that no official action had followed his revelations.
At the time he was a very junior doctor and did not believe that he had enough clout to raise such concerns personally. “I did not have the strength and courage to phone up Mr Wisheart or Dr Roylance or Mr Doyle at the Department of Health, or who-ever, and say: ‘I'm a senior house officer in casualty—will you please …
Log in
Log in using your username and password
Log in through your institution
Subscribe from £164 *
Subscribe and get access to all BMJ articles, and much more.
* For online subscription
Access this article for 1 day for:
£30 / $37 / €33 (excludes VAT)
You can download a PDF version for your personal record.