Hearing of Londonderry doctor case adjourned as fresh legal matters presented

A MEDICAL fitness panel due to consider allegations Dr Paul Miller - formerly of Londonderry - had improper financial dealings with a patient and failed to maintain professional boundaries with a patient whilst practising in the Belfast area has adjourned until Tuesday (April 16) as a result of preliminary legal matters having been freshly presented to the tribunal.

Iris Robinson told a local radio station in 2008: "I have a very lovely psychiatrist who works with me in my offices and his Christian background is that he tries to help homosexuals trying to turn away from what they are engaged in." She was referring to Dr Paul Miller- formerly of Londonderry - whose unrelated case before a medical fitness panel has been adjourned until Tuesday (April 16).
It's alleged Dr Miller had improper financial dealings with a patient and failed to maintain professional boundaries with a patient whilst practicing in Belfast. — Iris Robinson told a local radio station in 2008: "I have a very lovely psychiatrist who works with me in my offices and his Christian background is that he tries to help homosexuals trying to turn away from what they are engaged in." She was referring to Dr Paul Miller- formerly of Londonderry - whose unrelated case before a medical fitness panel has been adjourned until Tuesday (April 16). It's alleged Dr Miller had improper financial dealings with a patient and failed to maintain professional boundaries with a patient whilst practicing in Belfast.

Dr Miller’s case was due to be heard by a Medical Practitioners Tribunal Service (MPTS) Fitness to Practice panel in Manchester on April 8 and May 3.

The adjournment is the result of preliminary legal matters presented to the panel. The hearing has not yet formally opened.

The former Londonderry man was the centre of a political storm in 2008 when Iris Robinson told a local radio station: “I have a very lovely psychiatrist who works with me in my offices and his Christian background is that he tries to help homosexuals trying to turn away from what they are engaged in.” She was referring to Dr Miller.

Now, according to the MPTS: “It is alleged that between 2004 and 2010 Dr Miller had improper financial dealings with a patient, in that, he took, or attempted to take, financial advantage of the patient on a number of occasions.

“It is further alleged that on a number of occasions Dr Miller failed to maintain professional boundaries with the patient. In addition, it is alleged that on a number of occasions Dr Miller provided substandard care to the patient.

“The above reflects the allegation as it stands at the start of the hearing. The allegation may be amended as the hearing proceeds and when findings of fact are made by the Panel.”