Bristol doctor Tony Dixon falsified mesh notes, medical hearing finds
A spokesperson for Mr Dixon added: "Mr Dixon has disputed the allegations throughout the tribunal hearing and is disappointed by the factual determination."Mr Dixon has always endeavoured to provide the highest standard of care to his patients."
Mrs Smith, 71, has received a settlement from Mr Dixon after paying privately to have a fisher operation but she claims she ended up having three meshes implanted without her consent which left her in severe pain and suffering from breakdowns. She told the BBC that her own experience meant she was not surprised the tribunal had found dishonesty, adding: "It's just he is saying one thing and writing something else and you just feel a bit strange about it all, that it's corrupt and lying."It makes people feel, me as well, disappointed, disillusioned."Two investigations at Southmead Hospital and Spire Bristol have previously found Mr Dixon caused harm to hundreds of people by carrying out operations that were not necessary.Spire has since said private hospitals now can access patient notes without having to rely on copies from consultants.
The tribunal had examined claims medical records for seven patients contained false information and were not created at the correct time.It found that as part of a Spire review, Mr Dixon disclosed medical records for several patients that were created after his involvement in their care. It found his actions would have given the false impression that the Spire records were contemporaneous.It also found patient records disclosed to the solicitors of four patients who were suing him contained false information.Mr Dixon was also found to have failed to adequately explain the complications of a re-look laparotomy in 2017.A final decision over what sanctions will be taken against Mr Dixon is expected this summer.
Dr Dixon had previously built up an international reputation as the go-to expert for patients with prolapsed bowels.He used a technique known as mesh rectopexy to treat bowel problems.Through the procedure, mesh implants are placed into the body to treat pelvic organ prolapse which can occur after childbirth.The mesh, which is usually made from synthetic polypropylene, is intended to repair damaged or weakened tissue.At the point of his suspension in 2024, the Medical Practitioners Tribunal Service (MPTS) said Dr Dixon's "misconduct was so serious that action needed be taken to protect members of the public".But, the tribunal considered that a longer period of suspension would be unduly punitive, especially taking into account the period that Dr Dixon had already been the subject of fitness to practise proceedings.Both Southmead Hospital and Spire Bristol apologised to victims after his suspension.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Sun
8 minutes ago
- The Sun
BMA's failure to allow treatment during strike is wrecking patients' lives & playing God with their medical conditions
Doctors can't just refuse to do duty THE wait for a cancer diagnosis is one of the most agonising experiences of anyone's life. So a Milton Keynes hospital trust made a plea to the striking BMA union to allow treatment of six patients who had steeled themselves for their biopsies. 1 Shamefully, their response was no. We knew the union's leaders were grasping mercenaries in their pursuit of a fantasy 29 per cent pay claim. Now we know they are capable of inhuman cruelty too. It was only thanks to the heroic decision of one of their own members to break the strike that the patients got the treatment they needed. The BMA's decision was based on the fact there was no direct clinical risk because none of the patients had as yet been diagnosed with cancer. Crystal clear evidence that the union is not only wrecking patients' lives but also playing God with their medical conditions. Health Secretary Wes Streeting, himself a former cancer sufferer, says: 'It is completely unacceptable for the BMA to dismiss the mental anguish a delayed diagnosis can have on people and families.'' Spot on, Wes. Extremist fanatics have no right to dictate whether someone should be tested for cancer or not. And every grotesque BMA decision that harms patients must be ruthlessly exposed. Take Don's advice PM Since his election, Mr Trump has wasted no time in reducing the hordes arriving in the US to a trickle and deporting tens of thousands more. Meanwhile, Sir Keir seems unable to get to grips with the crisis over here. The two leaders will no doubt be discussing vital matters such as Gaza and the UK-US trade deal when they meet tomorrow. But Sir Keir should put learning lessons on migration at the top of the agenda. Help on high streets BUSINESS Secretary Jonny Reynolds has revealed the Government plans to give the nation's struggling high streets a shot in the arm in the autumn budget. Welcome words. We have warned for years that the sector was on its knees. But for many pubs and restaurants, Labour's tax hikes have already proved the final nail in the coffin.
The Sun
8 minutes ago
- The Sun
Tattoos can boost body positivity and even heal trauma, mental health experts say
THE great British High Street may be in decline but there's one type of shop that is still firmly making its mark – the tattoo parlour. In the past decade the number of inking businesses has soared from 1,637 to 3,394 — up 107 per cent — and 14million of us now have one, nearly a third of all adults. 5 5 5 The tattoo market was worth around £659million in 2023, rising to £702million in 2024. Experts say that although tattoos may seem unsightly to some, for those who have them, they can boost positivity, provide a sense of security, help people cope with depression and even help to heal childhood trauma. Dr Mark Griffiths, Distinguished Professor of Behavioural Addiction at Nottingham Trent University, told The Sun on Sunday: 'Most people who get tattoos experience positive benefits. 'For example, someone who is experiencing depression or anxiety may feel empowered by a tattoo, or view it as a way of demonstrating control in their life. 'Bad infections' 'A tattoo can help some individuals feel better about their body and help them feel as though they are part of a community. 'Tattoos may help promote body positivity, boost self-confidence and, for a minority, help to lower stress levels. "For a small minority, tattoos may also be a symbol for trauma survivors, for example of PTSD, sexual assault and healing from childhood trauma.' Derby-based tattooist Kevin Paul, who has inked dozens of celebrities including Ed Sheeran, Harry Styles, Lady Gaga and Rhianna, says that being tattooed is so 'powerful' it is like a medicine to some. He said: 'People use tattoos now as a therapy or a way to bring families closer or to mourn the loss of a loved one. "A lot of people have tattoos to mark traumatic things they have been through. I'm tattooed all over & even removed my NOSE to keep in a little jar… people can't believe the difference 4 years makes 'The majority of people I see are using it as some form of therapy. 'I had a customer with a history of self-harm and when I covered her scars she said it gave her her life back.' Prices for a tattoo start at £50 for a tiny design but can rise to well over £2,000 for a larger work covering the limbs or back — and there is no shortage of takers. The UK currently ranks as the third most-inked nation in the world, accounting for almost eight per cent of all tattoos globally and we are only out-tatted by the US and Germany. However, the trend has also led to a rise in unqualified and inexperienced would-be 'artists' cashing in. Unlicensed tattoo artists, often referred to as 'scratchers', operate outside legal regulations and do not register with their local said: 'Tattooing is being pulled apart by everyone thinking they can just have a go. 'People will go to the closest and normally cheapest place so it's much harder for real, trained artists to get customers through the door. 'There will be a lot of people needing cover-ups [of bad work] in the future. 5 5 "Hygiene should be the biggest part of your training, but I have seen so many bad infections come from dodgy tattooists who don't know what they are doing.' Research last year suggested that as many as four in ten of us had considered getting a tattoo removed. The most likely reason is going off the design, poor quality, fading work or having made an impulsive decision to begin with. And another expert warned that getting tattoos may not always combat major self-esteem issues. Aleksandra Pamphlett, a psychotherapist specialising in body image, said: 'I've had many patients describe their tattoos as part of their healing journey — daily reminders of survival, identity, hope and self-worth. 'There have been quite a few studies suggesting that body modifications can serve as a coping mechanism or form of self-expression for people with trauma histories. 'IT'S MY LIFE STORY IN PICTURES' TATTOO fan Chesney Wright, 29, has spent more than £4,000 on her 200 inkings, which she describes as her 'life in pictures'. The mum-of-three, from Grantham, Lincs, admits some are 'horrified' by her heavily inked look but she has no plans to stop. Chesney said: 'I've been told the tatts are disgusting. That I'm a bad example to other women and a bad mum. Tattoos are like Marmite, you love them or hate them – I'm obsessed with them. 'OAPs are often horrified and tell me off, but I just smile sweetly. My body art is my history.' Ex-barber Chesney has tattoos of everything from a ghost to SpongeBob. She added: 'Most women get flowers and butterflies – I have a different approach. Each tattoo holds a story of love, happiness, mother- hood, sometimes grief.' 'Most of my patients with tattoos related to past trauma found them helpful and empowering, but there was one case where the tattoo became a painful reminder — less a symbol of healing, more a flashback to a time they wanted to move past.' Anna Woolley spent years struggling with substance addiction and poor mental health, leaving her with scars on her arms that were so obvious she was ridiculed about them while shopping in Primark. It led the 35-year-old to cover them with a 'sleeve' design with butterflies and branches in 2016. The move gave her such new-found confidence she is now preparing to become a support worker in a rehab clinic to help others. She told the Sun on Sunday: 'I'd gone through a lot of past trauma and I'd caused damage to my arms from lashing out during night terrors over several years. 'I just felt horrific, I was so full of self-doubt. 'Before getting the tattoos I wouldn't have dreamed of wearing a T-shirt but now I wear what I want to. People say it's just a tattoo but it's changed my life.'
The Sun
8 minutes ago
- The Sun
I'm losing weight but it's nothing to do with Mounjaro – my FREE hack requires zero effort and is so simple
A WOMAN has revealed that she has shed 7kg without the help of Mounjaro. Since becoming available on the NHS earlier this year, weight loss jab Mounjaro has helped thousands of Brits shed unwanted weight. 2 2 And whilst many are overjoyed with the results, some have reported major side effects, including burning skin and kidney problems. Not everyone can get the drug prescribed on the NHS either, so for those looking for an alternative, Cristina Gheiceanu, revealed her little known hack. The blonde beauty, from Switzerland revealed that she has used Chat GPT to help her shed 7kg. Taking to Instagram to explain how she did it, Cristina revealed that she first asked the AI chatbot to help her work out a calorie deficit. However, she said that what helped her the most was using the app to track her daily calorie intake. "Instead of using complicated apps, I just sent a voice message to ChatGPT each morning: what I ate, how many calories I wanted to eat that day — and it did all the work." She explained that, in the beginning, she had to tell the bot how much protein and fibre was in her foods, and how many calories they were. However, once she'd added a food once, it remembered how many calories were in it, meaning it became much quicker to track. "I kept using the same chat, so it became faster and easier every day", she said. Cristina said the best thing about her free hack, is that the chatbot puts everything into a table, so that she can track whether she is missing anything. I lost 4st & reversed my age by 10 years but my secret is NOT Mounjaro - here's my tips to feeling amazing in a bikini "If I am missing something, I just send a photo of my fridge and get suggestions", she said. Cristina's (@cristinagheiceanu) video has likely left many people impressed, as it has racked up over 2.7 million views on the social media platform. Instagram users raced to the video's comments section to share their thoughts on the clever hack. One person said: "Thank you so much for sharing this generously with us. WHO IS ELIGIBLE FOR WEIGHT LOSS JABS ON THE NHS? NHS eligibility for weight loss injections has expanded but still lags behind the number who could potentially benefit from taking them. Wegovy, medical name semaglutide, is only available for weight loss through specialist weight management clinics. Patients are typically expected to have tried other weight loss methods before getting a prescription. They may be eligible if their body mass index (BMI) is higher than 30, or higher than 27 if they have a weight-related health condition such as high blood pressure. Mounjaro, known as tirzepatide, is also available from GP practices but currently only to patients with a BMI of 40 or higher (or 37.5 if from a minority ethnic background) plus four weight-related health conditions. The medicines are currently being rationed to the patients most in need. NHS watchdog NICE estimates that more than three million Brits will ultimately be eligible. The GLP-1 injections are prescribed separately by GPs for people with type 2 diabetes, and patients should discuss this with their doctor. "You look stunning!" A second person said: "I tried using your method and it worked really well! Thank you so much for sharing it. "I used to get stuck and overwhelmed trying to calculate and research detailed nutrition info, it was really hard and confusing. "But tracking food using ChatGPT the way you showed is so much easier, more convenient, and way less stressful." A third added: "I did the same thing. It essentially helped cut out the cost of a nutritionist and helped me lose 20 pounds in a healthy, achievable and maintainable way."
