A leading gynaecologist has criticised the National Treatment Purchase Fund, saying he would not like to perform surgery on a patient he hadn’t seen before.

Former Master and current Clinical Director of the Rotunda Hospital, Peter McKenna is appearing as expert witness in the fitness to practice inquiry of Peter Van Geene.

Dr Van Geene is accused of Poor Professional Performance over his treatment of four women who underwent hysterectomies at Aut Even Private Hospital in Kilkenny between 2009 and 2011.

One of Dr Van Geene’s patients was treated at Aut Even, having previously been on a public waiting list.

Peter McKenna said while he wasn’t that familiar with the workings of the NTPF, he would not like to operate on a patient he hadn’t met before.

Counsel for Mr Van Geene, Eugene Gleeson, SC has questioned Mr McKenna over his rejection of a hysterectomy as a method of treating incontinence in the case of Helen Cruise, who’s waived her right to anonymity.

Dr McKenna said that Dr Van Geene should have told Mrs Cruise that a hysterectomy and/or cystocele repair would not cure her incontinence. He further said that unless this was outlined to her very clearly, any consent given by her was invalid.

In the case of Patient B, who required four units of blood after a hysterectomy, Dr McKenna conceded that Dr Van Geene should have been told a lot earlier that the patient’s blood pressure was dropping, he said “I don't think anybody would deny he should have been told of the patient’s deterioration.”

Regarding Patient B, Mr Gleeson said “I have to put it to you Dr McKenna, that couldn’t constitute Poor Professional Performance”, to which Dr McKenna said “I would agree with that.”

The inquiry continues.