Doctor who failed to diagnose Climbié case given full-time post

A trust at the centre of the Victoria Climbié inquiry has defended its decision to appoint one of its doctors to a full-time post, despite evidence at the inquiry suggesting that Dr Ruby Schwarz made significant errors in the lead-up to Victoria's death.

Dr Schwarz, consultant paediatrician at Central Middlesex Hospital, near Wembley in north west London, was appointed to a full-time post with the hospital last month. She had previously divided her time between the hospital and St Mary's Hospital, Paddington.

Imran Khan, solicitor for Victoria's parents, told HSJ that the Climbiés were 'surprised' to discover that Dr Schwarz had been appointed to the job. He said they were now looking at what steps could be taken to pursue a number of individuals involved in the case.

'Suing is one option, 'he said.'But it could include disciplinary, civil or criminal action.'

A North West London Hospitals trust spokeswoman, representing the hospital, defended its decision to give Dr Schwarz a full-time job, saying one of the concerns raised by the inquiry was the pressure of working at two sites.

'Ruby Schwarz freely admits her mistakes that she did not write up the notes as she should have done, ' she said. 'We have taken steps to rectify that.'

All children whose injuries are suspected of being caused by abuse are now photographed, she said.

The inquiry heard how Dr Schwarz failed to report signs of potential abuse when Victoria was admitted to the hospital on 14 July 1999 with numerous cuts and bruises.

Dr Schwarz diagnosed scabies - a diagnosis which may have been correct, but which ruled out any child protection issue.

In the closing evidence, Neil Garnham QC, counsel to the inquiry, said: 'The trouble with Dr Schwarz's opinion ... was not the inclusion of scabies but the exclusion of anything else.'

Brent social services department, which covers the hospital in its catchment area, abdicated its responsibility to investigate Victoria's case after Dr Schwarz deemed her scars to be scabies, the inquiry heard.

North Middlesex Hospital also came in for criticism in the closing submissions to the inquiry. Ten days after seeing Dr Schwarz, eight-year-old Victoria was admitted to the hospital - which is in Edmonton, north London, and about 12 miles away from Central Middlesex Hospital - with burns to her head and face. There was no contact between the two hospitals, which might have raised alarm bells about the risk the girl was under, the inquiry was told.

The inquiry is now entering its second phase, when it will consider what measures should be taken to prevent a similar tragedy happening again.The final report is due in the summer.