Private Powys GP interim year ban lifted by GMC

Dr Myhill has a specialist private practice in Powys

A private GP suspended from practicing medicine for a year has had her ban lifted by the General Medical Council (GMC).

The GMC imposed the interim order last October while it investigated claims Dr Sarah Myhill was a "pioneer" in treating chronic fatigue syndrome.

She thanked patients and supporters after being allowed to resume practicing near Knighton, Powys.

However, the GMC still has concerns and it has imposed several conditions.

Last October, the GMC said Dr Myhill might pose a "risk to patients" and it was imposing an interim order preventing her from practicing medicine for a year, which was to be reviewed within three months.

At the review hearing last Thursday, the chair of the GMC's interim orders panel, Dr Peter Maguire said: "Whilst it notes that its order restricts your ability to practise medicine, the panel has determined that, given the nature of this case, imposing conditions on your registration, at this time, is a necessary and proportionate response to the risks posed by you practicing medicine unrestricted.

"The order will be reviewed within three months, or earlier if necessary."

The panel imposed nine conditions on Dr Myhill, having initially said there was "sufficient information before it to indicate that there may be impairment of your fitness to practise and that such impairment may pose a real risk to patients and to the public interest".

But having weighed up all the matters, Dr Maguire told Dr Myhill that the panel could protect the public by the "imposition of conditions on your registration".

Dr Myhill, who has a GP private practice, was previously banned from prescribing drugs for 18 months by the GMC in April, and told to take down part of her website.

Her ban came after a group of GPs from Yorkshire claimed she had provided "inappropriate" treatment to a patient in June 2009.

Dr Myhill recommended vitamin and magnesium injections for suspected chronic fatigue syndrome, a treatment an expert said had "no clinical or biochemical basis".

She has received backing from her patients and other supporters who have written to the GMC and attended her hearings.

Dr Myhill said: "I am so grateful to those thousands of patients and medical colleagues who knew that I was a good doctor, who had done nothing wrong and kept their faith in me. Without their help and support I would have struggled to find the strength to fight."

A statement issued by her office added: "The GMC was forced to accept that no patient had been harmed or put at risk of harm and that the reasons they had previously given for Dr Myhill's suspension had no proper evidence base.

"Since her April hearing, Dr Myhill has conducted her own defence without any legal assistance.

"She pointed out to the GMC at her October, December and January hearings that the GMC had not presented any formal allegations or indeed any case against her - this the GMC is obliged to do by law. She did not even know if she faced criminal or civil charges."