Roger Bainton, Consultant Facial Surgeon, Suspended Due to Patient Safety Concerns
Following my recent blog, the Consultant facial surgeon suspended by University Hospital of North Staffordshire due to concerns about patient safety has now been identified as Mr Roger Bainton.
Mr Bainton, who qualified as a doctor in 1977, graduated from the Welsh National School of Medicine and Dentistry before he undertook a medical degree at the University of Liverpool Medical School. He is noted to specialise in the treatment of facial trauma and deformities and is reported to have been an NHS Consultant since 1990. He is no longer listed on General Dental Council (“GDC”) register.
Mr Bainton was suspended from his position as a Consultant Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeon at the University Hospital of North Staffordshire on 1st February 2013, after concerns were raised about by his colleagues and the Royal College of Surgeons. However it appears that this is not that the first time that Mr Bainton’s standard of treatment has been investigated.
In March 2000, the BBC reported that Mr Bainton had been “severely reprimanded by the General Medical Council (“GMC”) after being found guilty of serious professional misconduct” and suspended from practising for 12 months. The investigation concerned the death of a patient under Mr Bainton’s care whilst he was working at the Aberdeen Royal Infirmary in 1995. He had performed routine jaw surgery on the patient, who subsequently passed away. The GMC panel found Mr Bainton guilty of ‘failing to ensure that the patient received adequate care’ and failing ‘to ensure that his condition and progress was adequately monitoring by suitable experience and qualified staff’.
During their hearing, the GMC panel had not been advised that Mr Bainton had also previously been suspended by the GDC for one year after he was found guilty on nearly identical misconduct concerns. Following his reprimand, Mr Bainton’s contract of employment with Aberdeen Royal Infirmary was terminated.
In 2009, Mr Bainton set up a private clinic, the Aesthetics Aberdeen Clinic. The clinic’s website says that it “offers the latest in facial cosmetic and surgical treatments”.
Following an internal investigation by the University Hospital of North Staffordshire, Mr Bainton was also investigated by the GMC again in November 2013. As a result of this disciplinary investigation, Mr Bainton now has seven conditions placed on his ability to practise as a doctor in the UK. Amongst these are a condition preventing him from carrying out surgery which involves “PDS/DBX materials”. DBX is a type of artificial bone substitute which Mr Bainton was previously found to have used in a way which did not accord with standard practice. Mr Bainton is also banned from managing any patients with ‘TMJ’ disorders (temporomandibular jaw joint conditions).
The University Hospital of North Staffordshire NHS Trust has admitted a number of patients have undergone surgery unnecessarily and recalled at least 88 patients for further review. Patients treated by him have been offered an appointment to review their treatment with one of two other doctors at the Trust.
It is very concerning to hear that Mr Bainton had, before the current concerns came to light, previously already been investigated, and reprimanded, for failing to provide an appropriate standard of care to his patients. Our specialist medical negligence lawyers have already spoken to a number of his former patients who are understandably concerned about the treatment that they received. We are now investigating a number of compensation claims. In circumstances like this, it is vital that patients affected seek independent legal advice.
Our team of dedicated medical negligence solicitors have years of experience in achieving compensation and peace of mind for patients who have suffered injuries. If you or a loved one are concerned about the treatment you have received, please contact me free of charge and in confidence on 0207 288 4849 or by email on ipektugcu@boltburdonkemp.co.uk for specialist legal advice.