Baby P Doctor 'Suicidal'

A paediatrician who allegedly failed to spot signs of injury on Baby P's body just days before his death was unfit to appear before a medical tribunal today.

Dr Sabah Al-Zayyat, who was at the centre of a media furore, is said to be suicidal.

The General Medical Council was to quiz her over accusations of failing to carry out an "adequate examination" of the child.

Her doctors' licence could be revoked if she is found to have acted wrongly.

Dr Al-Zayyat said 17-month-old Peter Connelly was "miserable and cranky" when he visited her at St Ann's Hospital in Haringey in 2007.

He died from multiple injuries two days after seeing the locum consultant community paediatrician. Peter's mother and two men have been jailed for their part in his death.

Counsel for the GMC, Rebecca Poulet QC, said she received a report last night from a doctor who had examined Dr Al-Zayyat.

The consultant psychiatrist wrote: "In my opinion, Dr Al-Zayyat has become so seriously ill that she is unfit to defend herself before a public hearing and unfit to instruct her solicitors.

"The pressure on her has been such that her mental health has broken down completely, and the possibility of suicide is a very real one."

Peter had received 60 visits from local authorities prior to his death and was already on the child protection register when he was assessed by Dr Al-Zayyat.

She denied there were any obvious marks on the child's face, and claims his back could not have already been broken when he appeared in her treatment room.

Commenting on the current General Medical Council hearing, Dr Al-Zayyat said: "In my 28 years as a paediatrician I have been devoted to the care of children and have always tried to do my best for them.

"I have been and remain deeply affected by the shocking and tragic circumstances of baby Peter's death.

"It would be inappropriate for me to comment any further until the hearing concludes."

The hearing is expected to continue until the middle of next month.

(PR/BMcC)