Wilt has found an internet cafe in a small town in Malta where he can get a reasonable connection speed via Wi-Fi on his laptop. Valletta is just too busy, and since I last came here, far too expensive. It remains however a wonderful city to behold both day and night – its architecture is exquisite and the light for photographers perfect.

The sun is shining and it is getting very hot – we look forward to the deep dive later this afternoon. The sea remains a little chilly this time of year. Later in the year it is just too hot on land whereas the coastal waters (at least) allow free snorkelling without a wetsuit or dry-suit. For now the wetsuit should suffice. Today we dive a wreck or two in deep sea.

Meanwhile we have charted our journey to Sicily and will spend a few days there before embarking for home – and back to work. Not before however visiting again Mount Etna.

However, before all that I have been keeping up on news in the internet cafe.

We see Southall is still fighting his case, see here: http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/health/8631796.stm

As the article observes:

“Dr Southall is viewed as an expert in Munchausen’s syndrome by proxy, a condition which means parents deliberately induce or fabricate illnesses in their children to get attention for themselves.

He pioneered the use of covert video surveillance in the late 1980s and early 1990s, which led to a number of parents and step parents being prosecuted for abuse.”

That “condition” remains to have some credibility (just) provided of course it does not involve Dr Southall directly in the assessment. It is however distinct from Munchausen’s syndrome (less the proxy bit) which is the believed condition of Mrs C – she attracts attention to herself as distinct (by proxy) to others. It is a well researched and understood condition.

It seems Dr Southall is not going to give up defending his case.

Wilt (from his desk in Malta)

The story of the month so far must be: http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/manchester/8630592.stm

This is not funny, it really is not – the man must be beside himself, apart from limping. What did this guy do in an earlier life to cause this catastrophe to befall him? We all know Hitler only had one Ball but then he also had a brain of a similar size to compensate.

Exactly how much compensation does one get for this complete medical fuck up? No doubt the insurers will be arguing one ball is better than none and that the bloke should be grateful! Wilt is sure he is grateful, yes!

What was however amusing (forgive me) was this quote:

“Sarah Prichard, counsel for the GMC, said the mistake was made as a nurse helping the surgeon turned her back to get a stitch.

When she turned around the testicle had been removed.

Ms Prichard said: “Literally as the nurse turned away to get a transfixion stitch, the incident occurred and the testicle was removed.

“Such was the level of concern they immediately realised it could be a serious medical incident and took steps to complete the relevant documentation.”

That last sentence is rather telling, Wilt thinks – it’s a “oh fucking God” moment that will haunt you forever. And what do they do? Fill in a form!

I am sure that this may have not happened in the sequence suggested by the article by the BBC author but it does suggest medical staff ignored the decapitated testicle, appearing like a half peeled onion sat on the operating table, whilst they filled in some tick boxes on a form – quite what this form may appear like is speculative but equally baffling, as in what is it headed – Oooooops!

I like those Ooooops forms – something akin to a GSCC form titled “Another Fucking Balls Up.”

How exactly did they explain this utter folly to Mr X when he woke up?

“Mr X – the good news is that the surgery was successful……………….”

“The bad news is in the form of a question, which is whether you ever wondered joining a choir or in fact going that bit further in your sex realignment?”

Mr X responds in a high voice: “You fucking utter twat.”

Anyone who finds this report funny should need to go to therapy or church (etc) or indeed simply reflect on life.

Wilt is off to meditate.

Wilt (from his desk in Malta)

As per my earlier posting (see here: http://regulatorwatch.co.uk/2010/02/bit-of-a-spat/) the lawyers have struck back, and rightly so.

Half Time Score:-

BASW 0 – 2 GSCC

See the Community Care Magazine article here: http://www.communitycare.co.uk/Articles/2010/02/08/113752/barristers-reject-basw-claim-of-ignorance-among-free-lawyers.htm

Personally, if I needed help I would get a lawyer – even if I needed to re-mortgage my house. Although having some notable success in some cases, BASW on the whole have not yet established themselves as fully up to speed and despite their “Professional Indemnity Insurance” scheme I have yet to hear of a case involving the GSCC where that has been used – it was notably lacking (and criticised) in the case of dear Lisa Arthurworrey.

Perhaps Wilt could act as a referee in this game? Mmmmmmmm.

And, as if BASW needs any further bad publicity, one of its own (former) officers needed some help in a Conduct case – we wonder if they had a Full Time BASW Advice and Mediation Officer to help them before being delivered a three year admonishment?

See the article here:

http://www.communitycare.co.uk/Articles/2010/02/08/113750/ex-basw-officer-reprimanded-for-giving-misleading-evidence.htm

Oooooooops!

Final Score:-

BASW 0 – 1 Care Council for Wales

You could not make it up, really!  And here I am meant to be keeping the regulators in check – Wilt slaps his own face saying “stupid boy.”

Unless the GSCC and others continue to be stupid I am going to complain that they ruining my burgeoning second career as a web journalist – well OK bog basic blogger!  One has to say BASW are at risk of being relegated to “Dork” status unless they improve their game.

BASW have this article here: http://basw.tumblr.com/post/352488674/basw-online-exclusive-most-social-workers-choose-not Does not say anything about their success or failure rate, nor the criticism of BASW by the Care Standards Tribunal (CST – Lisa Arthurworrey) or indeed overall the number of social workers reinstated by the same Tribunal.

However having five full time officers will no doubt improve the service and, somewhat VERY belatedly address the concerns they themselves identify in the Conduct process.

However take their new look web page as pure advertising for now (you can only use the service if a member – after a period of time) to help increase membership of BASW. I will judge them on their performance in actual practice. To date that has been very mixed.

Wilt

I suppose the lady was lucky not to be a social worker – I suspect none of the Regulators (e.g. the GSCC) would have allowed her to continue to practice. See the BBC report here: http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/hampshire/8486936.stm

Why are there such differences in how Regulators dispose of cases? Quite remarkable really!

Wilt