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Top IVF doctor cleared after women's claims are dismissed
Sophie Goodchild, Health Editor24.10.08
Britain's highest-profile fertility doctor today cleared his name over allegations of professional misconduct. Dr Mohamed Taranissi had been facing disciplinary action by the General Medical Council.
This followed complaints of poor care by two women treated at the IVF expert's Wimpole Street clinic, the most successful clinic in London.
One alleged that he sent her home with a life-threatening condition without investigating her symptoms. Legal papers also claimed he pressurised the second woman into having "controversial" tests costing £900.
However, the case against the millionaire was thrown out today at the halfway stage due to lack of evidence.
A disciplinary panel ruled that his fitness to practice as a doctor was not "impaired".
Egyptian-born Dr Taranissi, 53, said he was "delighted" at the outcome, but told the Standard that he may leave Britain to escape negative publicity. He has always strongly denied the claims against him and had been due to give evidence in his defence next week.
The doctor, who runs the Assisted Reproduction and Gynaecology Centre, said: "The fact is I didn't even have to defend myself in this case because it was stopped halfway through. It's for other people to say whether I've been made a scapegoat.
"I just want to focus on my work I've got a job to do. I'll always be grateful for the support I've had. Sometimes it does get to you and over the next couple weeks I'll be thinking about my future carefully.
"I know I'm not a standard type of guy but I don't want to spend the rest of my life having to fight people."
This is the second victory in weeks for the IVF expert whose fortune is estimated at more than £38 million. Last week, the High Court ordered the BBC to pay him half a million pounds in costs in an ongoing libel action.
The BBC withdrew part of its defence over a Panorama programme which allegedly made defamatory allegations about his techniques.
Many patients view the IVF expert as a "baby god" for helping them to become parents. Almost two-thirds of them have babies, nearly double the national average, and he is responsible for 188 births a year. But others see him as a maverick because of the way he runs his clinics.
Fertility watchdog the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority investigated him last year over claims that one of his clinics, the Reproductive Genetics Institute, was operating without a licence.
It is understood that case has been settled in his favour.
Reader views (3)
HOW LONG will this witch-hunt against Dr Tarranisi go on?! It is a wonder he still carries on with all these terrible and untrue accusations against him. I can give you plenty of examples of when he has advised treatment for a woman to say no. He is a decent man who works NON STOP. You tell me of another clinic that works 24/7 in the way ARGC do - who scan you each and every day during treatment. I have had successful and unsuccessful treatment under his care - and it has been of the same high standard each time.
- Fran Lane, Poole
I am relieved to see this but the GMC and HFEA should never have instigated this action. It's not good enough that Dr Tarannissi has been clear. It should not have gone this far and caused such trouble for him, his family and his patients.
This is the third doctor that I have dealt with, that the GMC has come after. They fail to respond to patients concerns but carry out this witch-hunts against doctors who offer non-NHS treatments.
This limits my choice as a patient. It's unfair and makes people with health problems (like infertility) not able to choose the right doctor for their needs.
- Flopsy, London central
I am one of the many who has suuported Mr T having dealt with him first hand and finding not only him but his team respectful, honest and compassionate. It will be a sad day for many people, not only in London but in the UK, if he is driven out by this persistent witch hunt by other jealous individuals. I would certainly go anywhere in the world to be treated by him again.
- Nicky, London
