Downpatrick GP facing trial over claims

Downpatrick GP facing trial over claims

15 August 2012

A DOWNPATRICK GP is to “strenuously” deny charges of forging patient documents to make money from a clinical drugs trial.

Dr. Hugh McGoldrick (55), a partner in the Pound Lane surgery for over 25 years, faces 12 separate charges dating back to a period between November 2007 and June 2008.

The allegations relate to a contract he undertook for a clinical research company, Medevol Limited, in which he tested a new sleeping tablet on 10 patients suffering from insomnia.

The case was outlined at Downpatrick District Court last week.

Dr. McGoldrick, of Crossgar Road East, Crossgar, is accused of forging consent forms, falsifying records relating to the weight of patients, making false claims about urine samples, breaching drug trial protocols and making a false representation that a named person was suitable for the trial.

Solicitor Kevin Winters said his client was “strongly contesting the allegations” and claimed there was “no justification for them”.

“These are matters which ought not to have seen the light of day,” he said. “This has been a distressing development for my client and his family...and he is anticipating the matters will be resolved as soon as possible.”

The case will be heard in Downpatrick Crown Court early next month.