A GP who missed a baby’s stomach infection after u
A GP who missed a baby’s stomach infection after using a bizarre healing technique told the GMC today (TUES) the girl appeared fit and healthy.
Dr Michelle Langdon swung a weighted crystal as she examined 11-month-old Kira Jinkinson.
She then told the girl’s mother Bethan that her home suffered ‘sick building syndrome’ due to stress lines beneath the house.
Dr Langdon practised conventional medicine but was said to have an ‘evangelist zeal’ when it came to her enthusiasm for alternative and natural cures, the GMC has heard.
Today she admitted using the crystal technique – known as ‘dowsing’ – when resolving clinical dilemmas.
She claimed it enables her to ‘tune in’ to particular herbal remedies.
The blonde doctor said: ‘Dowsing is very successful in making decisions as it narrows down possible contenders.
‘I use it to ascertain which remedy to use.
‘
Dr Langdon, a partner at the Brunswick Medical Centre in Camden, north London, saw Kira in October 2000, when she was suffering severe vomiting.
She insisted on performing a full examination but denied failing to rule out a serious illness such as meningitis.
Dr Langdon told the hearing: ‘I was satisfied there was nothing seriously wrong and I reassured the mother.
‘
When the sickness continued, BBC journalist Mrs Jinkinson took her daughter back the following day.
Dr Langdon said she again performed a full examination and concluded that the illness was a minor viral infection.
It was at this point she asked the mother if she was willing to try a herbal remedy to help her baby girl.
Dr Langdon told the committee: ‘I mentioned homeopathy just to test the water and see what Kira’s mother felt about the subject.
‘I already thought it was likely I would be using homeopathy in this case.
‘I received a normal reaction.
I felt she was positive towards this and happy about it.
‘I had strong indications that I wanted to prescribe phosphorous because it was such a nice perfect medicine for this child.
‘I endeavoured to demonstrate to Kira’s mother the confirmation of my decision by showing her the dousing technique.
‘I used the pendulum, and it agreed with my feelings that phosphorous was the right remedy.
‘At no stage did the mother give any indication she was unhappy about my approach.
‘
The doctor said she broached the subject of geographic stress lines after learning Kira was having problems sleeping.
She informed Mrs Jinkinson that her home in Sandwich Street, Bloomsbury, was built over the invisible lines which can cause ME, cancer, or cot death, the tribunal heard.
Dr Langdon added: ‘I knew the building had already been identified as being a sick building.
‘I felt Mrs Jinkinson was highly intelligent and would be receptive to such information.
‘I did not intend to upset or worry her.
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The GP said she recommended a vicar who knew how to ‘disrupt’ the lines, and used the pendulum to decide a price for the treatment.
She said: ‘I used my dowsing to arrive at a reasonable figure.
I was trying to be helpful.
‘
Mrs Jinkinson was so alarmed she took her daughter to casualty at the University College Hospital, where gastroenteritis was diagnosed the following day.
Dr Langdon denies failing to conduct a proper examination of Kira to exclude serious illnesses.
She also denies misconduct in relation to two other patients.
It is claimed she refused to prescribe orthodox drugs, and failed to ensure her personal beliefs did not prejudice her care.
The hearing continues.
ends
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