Chris Carter THE VERDICT on Thursday on the doctors involved in the care of tragic Barkingside woman Carmel Bloom was shocking, but not surprising. Seven years after Carmel died the doctors finally admitted a series of errors – described by GMC barrister Jeremy Donne

Chris Carter

THE VERDICT on Thursday on the doctors involved in the care of tragic Barkingside woman Carmel Bloom was shocking, but not surprising.

Seven years after Carmel died the doctors finally admitted a series of errors - described by GMC barrister Jeremy Donne as "catastrophic".

They were lambasted by expert witnesses during the 17-day hearing with one labelling John Hines' standard of care as "very poor practice".

Dr Paul Timmis was said to have taken a "dangerous" decision by sending Carmel to Whipps Cross without a paramedic or proper equipment.

But, for all that, the GMC believe neither doctor is a risk to patients and they do not merit the slightest action, whether it be retraining or a warning.

If nothing else, an apology from both to Carmel's family led by brother Bernard, would have been the least they could have done.

They will, however, be well aware that Bernard does not go away so quickly and will not let the matter rest.

His comments to us on hearing of the verdict should reverberate through the plush corridors of the GMC's central London HQ - and at the Department of Health : "It seems the GMC is more interested in looking after doctors, not the public.