Doctor who released dying Darlington boy from hospital appears before tribunal (From Darlington and Stockton Times)

Doctor who released dying Darlington boy from hospital appears before tribunal

2:03pm Monday 15th October 2012 in News By Andy Walker, Chief Reporter (Darlington)

Dr Malik Mahmood Alam

THE fitness to practise of a doctor criticised after discharging a dying boy from hospital is due to be discussed today.

Dr Malik Mahmood Alam was the consultant responsible for the care of ten-year-old William Cressey, from Croft, near Darlington, who died in 2005.

Earlier this year, a General Medical Council (GMC) hearing found a string of failings on the part of Dr Alam, but reserved judgement on whether or not he was fit to practise.

It was found was that Dr Alam did not properly examine William and did not recognise that he was suffering from meningitis.

William was taken to Darlington Memorial Hospital in February 2005, by his mother Cheryl.

He was sent home after doctors diagnosed a migraine and denied meningitis treatment a second time before finally being given potentially life-saving drugs, by which time it was too late.

He died on March 1, 2005.

A panel of the Medical Practitioners Tribunal Service (MPTS), which is part of the GMC and took over responsibility for such hearings in June, is due to meet in Manchester today, to consider further evidence and submissions relating to the case.

In serious cases, doctors whose fitness to practise is judged to be impaired can be struck off the medical register.

It is not clear whether such a measure would be considered in Dr Alam's case.

He retired earlier this year, having continued to work following William's death.

The Northern Echo understands that Dr Alam will be present for the hearing, which is expected to get under way this afternoon.