Mary Henry (Independent)

I know we have a great desire to hold everything in public. However, I worry about the complainant far more than the professional when hearings are held in public. I frequently see court cases where patients have justified complaints against doctors but when they consider what would come out in court, the case falls apart. I would not like too much insistence on it being in public.

The professional would come out of it perfectly all right and he or she would almost certainly have the advice of the professional body and moral support. Frequently, a complainant is not used to publicity and is horrified to discover what may come out. While I understand the desire to hold everything in public, and it should be if everyone wants it, I have seen people dismayed.

I am sure the Minister saw in the High Court recently where a doctor tried to insist cases involving the most serious sexual abuse of adult patients were held in public. He knew the women would not continue with them if they were held in public. It took great courage on their part to go forward anonymously.