BBC Wales reports on a practicing ban for a Doctor who made false claims about Covid treatments and was deemed to have “undermined public health”.
Extracts
Sarah Myhill, based in Powys, posted videos and articles advocating taking vitamins and other substances in high doses, without evidence they worked.
She was also selling the substances she recommended on her website.
The tribunal found some of her recommendations had the potential to cause “serious harm” and “potentially fatal toxicity”.
Dr Myhill previously had a year-long ban lifted after a General Medical Council (GMC) investigation into her claims of being a “pioneer” in the treatment of chronic fatigue syndrome.
The hearing was told there had been 30 previous GMC investigations into Dr Myhill, but none had resulted in findings of misconduct.
The tribunal additionally found Dr Myhill had put a patient with a potentially fractured hip at risk by failing to ensure they were taken to hospital and that her fitness to practise was also impaired as a result.
The tribunal concluded: “Given the circumstances of this case, it is necessary to protect members of the public and in the public interest to make an order suspending Dr Myhill's registration with immediate effect, to uphold and maintain professional standards and maintain public confidence in the profession.”
The use of large doses of Vitamins and Supplements, unless indicated by validated medical tests to correct a proven deficiency, are not recommended to treat ME/CFS.
Sue Luscombe, Hon. Dietetics Adviser to the ME Association
This is highlighted by the NICE Clinical Guideline in section 2.12.24 on potential side effects.
Large doses of vitamins and supplements may be harmful. There is no research proving benefit. The ME Association acknowledges that many with ME/CFS do take supplements and report that these can help in recommended doses.