A doctor accused of bullying staff in the middle o

A doctor accused of bullying staff in the middle of an operation today (Thurs) apologised for shouting at them.

Surgeon Michael Gray, 42, admitted raising his voice at colleagues but told the GMC he became ‘hot under the collar’ when the bowel op got complicated.

And he also admitted ordering staff at the William Harvey Hospital in Ashford, Kent, to use a taxi to transport medical equipment but said it was vital for the success of the operation.

The GMC has heard how Mr Gray made a series of blunder during two cancer ops at hospitals in Kent on November 20, 1999.

Giving evidence today (Thurs) he admitted that the atmosphere became tense in theatre during the first one, but he had been taken by surprise by complications.

Mr Gray said he was supposed to be removing a small rectal tumour but found the 79-year-old woman had a larger cancer in her pelvis.

When his request for help from a senior colleague was turned down, Mr Gray admitted he became irritated.

He told the committee: ‘It became apparent the patient’s whole pelvis was occupied by a very large cancer, and this gave increased difficulties.

‘There was an increased danger of injuring other organs.

‘At this stage I felt it was in the patient’s best interests if I had additional assistance.

‘I asked for the senior house officer but was told I had no right to ask for him because he was the on-call NHS doctor and it was a private operation.

‘That jarred with me a bit.

There was nothing written to tell me that a private patient was not just as important and deserving of medical help than an NHS patient.

‘I think I must have got rather annoyed and I raised my voice.

‘I was a bit hot under the collar because the normal avenues of communication had broken down.

‘I think it was unfair of me to raise my voice at colleagues because it was not their fault that I could not get staff that I needed to help me.

‘I have made efforts to apologise both in person and publicly since then.

‘At the time I felt the best thing to do was get on and complete the operation, which I did.

‘

The committee has heard that later the same day Mr Gray operated on a male patient at St Saviours Hospital in Hythe.

It is claimed he did not ensure the theatre was fully stocked beforehand and had to send for his surgical scissors during the op.

But Mr Gray claims it was important to have the equipment and he ordered it before surgery began.

He told the GMC: ‘The sister said she did not have the scissors because they were broken and there were two other sets in theatre.

‘However, they are not to my choosing and I was bit surprised that the scissors that I normally use had not been fixed.

‘As much out of the need to emphasise to staff that they could not leave equipment unfixed, I told the sister to please get mine from William Harvey Hospital which she duly did.

‘That was before the start of the operation.

‘

Gray, of Court Lodge, the Street, Brook, Ashford, denies serious professional misconduct.

The hearing continues.

ends