Doctor diagnosed 'black magic'

Nov 9 2006 By Alison Dayani, Birmingham Mail

A FORMER Birmingham doctor who allegedly told her patient she was being tormented by "black magic" failed to turn up to a disciplinary hearing.

Dr Joyce Diana Pratt is accused of telling the female patient, seeking family planning advice, she had something sinister moving inside her stomach and was under a black magic spell.

The doctor is accused of offering to use her "special powers" to help the woman and telling the patient to visit a priest at Westminster Cathedral.

Dr Pratt was due to go before the General Medical Council yesterday.

But a GMC spokeswoman said Dr Pratt failed to turn up at the first of a three day hearing in Manchester.

The GMC panel is set to look into whether Dr Pratt's conduct was irresponsible, unprofessional and intimidatory to her patient.

She also faces a charge of bringing the medical profession into disrepute.

The doctor, who now practises in London but used to live in Birmingham, is alleged to have told the patient her mother was a witch and that her husband and mother were trying to kill her.

And she is also accused of not co-operating with her employer and primary care trust when they investigated the claims.

If found guilty, Dr Pratt could be struck off. The hearing was adjourned.

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