Doctor Michal Laska viewed pornography at Iwade Health Centre, disciplinary panel rules
by Hayley Robinson
A disciplinary panel has found a GP viewed pornography at
work and had an improper relationship with a patient.
The Medical Practitioners' Tribunal Service proved Dr Michal
Laska, who worked at Iwade Health Centre, (pictured right) accessed
the explicit material at various times between 2005 and 2010.
It was also proved he had an "improper emotional relationship"
with a patient he knew - or ought to have known - was vulnerable
between March 2010 an July 2010.
The hearing revealed how practice manger Ros Keeler took an
anonymous call on July 28, 2010 alleging Dr Laska was having an
affair with the patient concerned.
Several days later, inadvertently, a USB drive from his
desk was found to contain pornographic images.
Further investigations were undertaken into all computer
material Dr Laska had access to at the surgery.
Thousands of images were discovered, many of which were
cross-referenced between Dr Laska's roaming profile, the hard drive
from his desktop computer and the practice server.
After the Kent Community NHS Trust received a report of the
findings, an interview was held on November 11, 2010.
Dr Laska admitted accessing the sites between 2005 and 2007.
He said he stopped doing so as he believed it was "foolish", but
forensic analysis contradicted his story as there were dates up to
and including July 2010 where pornographic material was accessed
using Dr Laska's practice computer and unique computer reference
number.
The hearing also found he had an "improper emotional
relationship" with the patient concerned between March and July
2010.
He insisted throughout the investigation that his relationship
with the patient was one of friendship but admitted the pair met at
his home, often late in the evening.
This was confirmed in a letter from the woman concerned who said
she was going through a very upsetting time and just needed to talk
to someone and to go somewhere "safe and quiet".
Despite this, no proof was found to suggest his conduct towards
the patient was sexually motivated.
Panel members are to now consider whether Dr Laska's fitness to
practice has been impaired.
If this is found to be the case, it will look at what sanctions,
if any, need to been imposed on his registration.
27/02/13
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