Court allows 'Panorama' broadcast on GMC inquiry

THE General Medical Council yesterday failed in a Court of Appeal bid to delay the screening of a BBC Panorama programme linked to its biggest ever medical disciplinary inquiry.

Three judges indicated they were proposing to dismiss the case on the grounds they had no jurisdiction to intervene with the Panorama investigation into accusations against heart surgeons. The judges also intend to rule there were no valid grounds to postpone the broadcast of "Broken Hearts" until after the GMC's professional conduct committee had completed the inquiry. The committee is deciding whether allegations against consultants James Wisheart and Janardan Dhasmana, and Dr John Roylance, former chief executive of the United Bristol Healthcare NHS Trust, have been proved as fact.