Sasha Rodoy | My Beautiful Eyes Foundation
In 2017, having suffered horrendous and devastating consequences of unregulated laser eye surgery at AccuVision in London, Greg Brady contacted me for help.
Greg, along with his partner Catherine, informed me that they had never met Dr Prashant Jindal, the ophthalmic surgeon named in his clinical records, alleging that it was someone else entirely who had performed the surgery, a non medically qualified man.
In 2018, after a quasi-investigation by the Metropolitan Police, I proceeded to submit a complaint to the GMC.
My story so far:
• In June 2020 we were advised that GMC case examiners had referred Dr Jindal to a Fitness to Practise hearing before the Medical Practitioners Tribunal Service (MPTS).
• On 27 May 2022, called as a witness in person, I provided highly pertinent evidence to the MPTS panel. Following this, the tribunal chair endorsed my right to report and document the hearing, but instructed against discussing my own evidence.
I complied, sharing frequent updates on my public platforms, all without objection from the GMC legal team or any other party.
• On 10 June, due to hand down their decision, the tribunal panel returned to public session to announce that they required additional time, resulting in additional days being scheduled in September.
• Reconvening on 16 September 2022, the panel shocked everyone when they went into public session the next day - and recused themselves; blaming me for their unprecedented action, claiming that I had approached panel members.
This was wholly untrue, but I was not afforded the opportunity to respond.
• A few weeks later, with the rehearing listed for 25 September 2023, the GMC surprisingly informed me that my evidence was no longer required. Furthermore, they stated their intention to apply to the MPTS for an exclusion to bar me from attending, even in a journalistic role.
• With the GMC exclusion application hearing listed for two days, between 11-13 September, the MPTS refused to allow me legal representation.
I instructed lawyers, who advised the MPTS on 8 September that we therefore intended to seek a Judicial Review.
• With the rehearing less than three weeks away, Dr Jindal suddenly - and somewhat coincidentally - requested a postponement! And despite strong objections from the GMC, the MPTS legal team agreed to this. (Refusing to disclose the reasons.)
Consequently, 'my' exclusion hearing was also postponed, rendering a Judicial Review unnecessary.
• Dr Jindal's Fitness to Practise rehearing is listed for later this year, while the GMC application hearing seeking my exclusion has been set for three days, from 29-31 July, with the MPTS now allowing me legal representation!
"Having considered this issue further, the MPTS has determined that your client may be represented and heard at the part of the preliminary hearing pertaining to the Exclusion Application."
Next steps:
This attempt to bar me from attending and reporting on a public hearing constitutes a breach of my rights as per the European Court of Human Rights.
"Article 10 1. Everyone has the right to freedom of expression. This right shall include freedom to hold opinions and to receive and impart information and ideas without interference by public authority and regardless of frontiers."
http://fra.europa.eu/en/law-reference/european-convention-human-rights-article-10#
Asserting my right to open justice I have instructed an exellent barrister to represent me (Marc Beaumont | Windsor Chambers), to advocate for my civil liberty to attend the public hearing and to report on it, as I did at the FtP hearings for Dr Muhammad (Bobby) Qureshi in 2019, and Dr Prashant Jindal in 2022.
I believe the GMC's attempt to restrict my rights is of significant public interest. I will not be bullied into silence and am committed to doing everything within my power to ensure fair and transparent treatment.
How to support me:
My legal fees for this matter to date are currently in excess of £10,000, with an estimated £15-20,000 needed to continue.
I am therefore crowdfunding for financial assistance, so please give whatever you can afford, because no matter the amount it will help me to fight for my rights - which are yours too!
For those who’d prefer to remain anonymous when donating there is an option to do so, guaranteeing that your name is not disclosed.
I thank you in advance, and ask you to please share this page; on social media, with friends/family/work colleagues 🙏
And do check back for updates, as there's more info about this case to come!
Tags: @MBEFCampaign #BlindedOnTheHighStreet #StormSasha #TwistedFncks
