A Dutch
doctor, no longer allowed to practice in the Netherlands and who is at the
centre of legal proceedings for professional misconduct, has been found working
at a hospital in Germany.
Former neurologist Ernst Jansen Steur |
Former
neurologist Ernst Jansen Steur is currently involved in what public prosecutors
describe as the biggest medical negligence case in the Netherlands. He was
identified working at a hospital in the German town on Heilbronn, and according
to RTL news, has worked for several German clinics via an agency.
The German
hospital authorities sacked him on Saturday after being alerted to his past by
Dutch media. He was working as a doctor's assistant, a relatively low position
given his extensive CV, Nos television said.
Ban
Although Jansen
Steur is no longer able to practice as a doctor in the Netherlands, the ban
does not apply to other countries.
Dutch
health minister Edith Schippers said in a reaction it is not possible for the
Dutch authorities to phone ‘the whole world’ about a dysfunctional doctor.
However, a
European warning system for health inspectors would be an option, she told
television current affairs show Nieuwsuur.
‘It is
terrible that someone… can go and work in another country,’ she said. ‘In
Europe we share diplomlas. I think we should share sanctions as well.’
Google
Schippers
also said she thought the German hospital should have checked Jansen Steur’s
background more thoroughly. ‘They only had to google his name once,’ she said.
According
to Nos television Jansen Steur reached a deal with the Dutch health
inspectorate several years ago. He agreed to write himself out of the official
register for healthcare professionals in return for not being take to the
professional misconduct committee.
Schippers
said the toughest sanction the committee could impose is to scrap someone from
the register. ‘And he is no longer in it,’ she said. ‘Everyone checking in the
register knows he can no longer function as a doctor.’
Earlier
stories
- 13 patients in Twente may have undergone unnecessary brain ops
- Court halts neurologist court case pending defence demands
- Hospital kept quiet about failing neurologist
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