An doctor who trained in Ireland has been struck off the medical register in Britain after a disciplinary hearing heard he acquiesced in the creation of a false account with a cosmetic industry supplies company.
An allegation that Dr Vincent Kent was involved in creating the false account with the company, Med-fx, was found not to be proven.
The Medical Practitioners Tribunal Service, which conducts fitness-to-practise hearing in Britain, said the false account was created in the name of another doctor who was entirely unaware of it.
Dr Kent, a graduate of Trinity College, was not present or represented at the hearing last February. The hearing was told he was not in a position to send legal representation "due to financial constraints".
Obtain line of credit
The investigating panel took the view that “it is more likely than not that the purpose was to generate an additional line of credit through which to obtain supplies from Med-fx.”
It found that the conduct in which Dr Kent acquiesced “implicated an unsuspecting and innocent fellow practitioner”.
In a letter, Dr Kent’s solicitor said he accepted a forged document was created in the name of Dr A. The West Midlands GP said in her witness statement that none of the false details on the account was hers, except for her name and GMC (General Medical Council) number.
The panel considered that Dr A’s name was chosen deliberately because her initials matched those of Dr Kent’s business partner, Ms B.
False signature
“Dr A had not seen any of the paperwork generated in her name for the false Med-fx account, nor the four prescriptions which purportedly carry her signature until the documents were shown to her by the GMC,” the panel said.
“Dr A has found the entire investigation process distressing and has spent a lot of energy trying to clear her name.”
After reviewing the evidence, the panel ruled that Dr Kent’s fitness to practise was impaired and an immediate order was made to erase him from the British register.
Dr Kent received his degree in 2000 and has been registered here since 2009. A number of Irish cosmetic surgery websites, including one in his own name, say he provides anti-ageing treatments to customers.
He is listed as providing services in Belfast, Derry, Newry and Dublin.
