A DUBLIN GP who used inappropriate and insensitive terminology when trying to ascertain if a young woman patient was pregnant or might have a sexually transmitted infection was yesterday found not guilty of professional misconduct.
Alma McQuade told the first medical council fitness-to-practise committee inquiry to be held in public under the 2007 Medical Practitioners Act that Dr Ross Ardill (42) asked her when was she last “close to a man’s naked willy” when she visited his surgery on September 25th, 2007 with flu-like symptoms. She had been ill for a few weeks.
She also said he suggested a warm alcoholic drink, exercise, a book or that she “find a willy and have sex” to help her get into a sleeping routine. Ms McQuade, an art psychotherapist, said he suggested this after she had already informed him she had split up with her partner. He had asked if she had given him the elbow.
On October 5th, 2007 she wrote a letter of complaint to Dr Ardill, who practises at the Custom House Square Medical Centre in the IFSC, saying this was not the language or behaviour she expected from a GP. He replied apologising unreservedly for any offence caused and explaining why he had used the type of language he did. Ms McQuade told the inquiry if he had left the letter at an apology she might never had complained to the Medical Council. But she felt his explanation was patronising. When she felt better in October 2008 she lodged the complaint.
However, she agreed Dr Ardill had conducted a thorough examination of her and referred her for a brain scan for her headaches.
Dr Ardill, in evidence, said he did not use the words alleged by Ms McQuade. He said he asked her was she “next or near a man’s willy bits” in the last six months and in relation to her sleeping he did suggest a drink, light exercise, a trashy novel or some “rumpy pumpy”. He said he used this kind of “childish” language with all patients to make them feel at ease. Nobody before had found it offensive. He said he would not use the term “willy bits” again.
Cross-examined by Patrick Leonard, counsel for the chief executive of the Medical Council, he agreed that in retrospect his use of language was inappropriate.
He added that he did not say Ms McQuade “should” go off and have sex. He said it was just one thing that might help her sleep.
Dr John Cuddihy, a GP in Kilkenny, told the inquiry no matter which wording was used it was inappropriate. The question should have been put in a more mature, professional and respectful manner. He also said advising a woman who was unwell to engage in sex was “out of place” and inappropriate. “I’m not aware of any medical condition in which sexual activity is a recognised treatment,” he said.
He believed Dr Ardill had fallen seriously short of the standards expected of a doctor but this was seriousness “with a small S”.
The fitness to practise committee found the allegation that Dr Ardill had used inappropriate and insensitive language proven but did not find this to be professional misconduct. They found the second allegation that he had prescribed sex as part of a treatment plan when this was not medically justified unproven.