Dr Brennan failed to spot a life threatening tumou
Dr Brennan failed to spot a life threatening tumour for nearly five years by which time it had grown to the size of a gobstopper.
He reported that there were no suspicious features despite clear evidence of a lump in her breast in three separate mammograms.
Dr Urquhart also examined the patient twice in 1994, and later was criticised by expert Dr Robin Wilson.
By June 22, 1998 the growth was clearly measured at 14 millimetres.
Dr Wilson said each doctor had made two serious errors since the woman was first screened in August 1993 and branded one of Dr Brennan’s reports as ‘extraordinary.
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The committee also heard he gave a clean bill of health to a woman who returned a year later to have a breast removed as a result of cancer fears.
Brennan had caused the dangerous delay by over-ruling his two colleagues’ decisions to call her in for further tests.
Dr Anthea Kelsey had resorted to secretly recalling the patient because she knew Brennan would become annoyed if he found out.
Miss Glynn told the hearing: ‘It seems that Brennan saw the notes for the patient when she was recalled and was clearly very angry.
‘Shortly thereafter this woman had a mastectomy.
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Another woman was told to return for routine surgery in three years despite two doctors recommending further tests.
The patient came back 10 months later complaining of an enlarged lump in one breast.
Brennan also failed to spot ‘obvious abnormalities’ in one woman’s breasts which should have demanded further tests, the GMC heard.
Miss Glynn claimed Brennan failed to carry out proper tests because he was ‘lazy.
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She said: ‘It was sheer laziness and perhaps a lack of motivation on his part which caused this situation to develop so the diagnosis levels were so deplorable.
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The committee also heard that the health of two patients was put at risk because of poor quality screening images between February 8, 1993 and June 9, 1993.
Miss Glynn said: ‘Significant features were not recognised and not acted on because of this.
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The hearing continues.
ends
