Psych Faked Prescriptions, but Bosses Let Him Keep His Job.

As Reported in the Sunday Mail

A top Scots psychiatrist has been found guilty of writing bogus prescriptions.

Dr John Stewart will be allowed to keep his job, which involves preparing reports on accused people appearing before court. But watchdogs the General Medical Council have ruled the consultant must work under supervision.

They refused to reveal the exact nature of the allegations against him but Dr Stewart claimed he had been trying to treat himself for depression and working too hard.

The GMC would only say that he was accused of acting in an "inappropriate, unprofessional and dishonest" manner in relation to certain prescriptions he wrote.

The allegations were aired at a private hearing at the GMC's Regent's Place headquarters in London earlier this month. Last night, Dr Stewart - who is based at Ayr's Ailsa Hospital - said: "I told them about over- working. At the time I was treating myself for depression. I had better not say anything further."

Ayrshire MSP Margaret Jamieson slammed the decision to keep the allegations secret while Dr Stewart continues his work at the hospital.

She added: "The news that Dr Stewart was under investigation for the serious allegation of malpractice came as a bolt from the blue."

Dr Stewart - who lives with his wife and family in a detached house on Ayr seafront - was still working at Ailsa Hospital prior to the three-day GMC hearing.

He was back at work after the case was concluded but will now work with a supervisor chosen by the health board. He will have to inform the GMC if he accepts any new job in medicine. [...]

A GMCstatement before the verdict said: "The panel will inquire into allegations Dr John Stewart, a consultant in general psychiatry, acted in a way which was inappropriate, unprofessional and dishonest in relation to a number of prescriptions he wrote."

After the hearing, a spokesman added: "The hearing was in private and no further information will be put out on it."

NHS Ayrshire and Arran said: "We are not able to comment on individual cases."

'I told them about overworking.. at the time I was treating myself for depression. I had better not say anything further'