A CHRISTIAN GP performed an exorcism on a seriously ill patient after promising he could “heal” her without medication, a tribunal has heard.
Dr Thomas O’Brien, 56, persuaded the mum-of-one to undergo the spiritual ceremony at his local Pentecostal church after telling her: “God is your surgeon,” it was claimed.
The woman, who was in great pain after stomach surgery, was subjected to “religious grooming” over a four-month period in which O’Brien said the “devil was having a real go at her” and that she had “devil items” in her house, it was alleged.
O’Brien and his wife Tina, 62, gave the patient, who has not been named, a book they penned called The Occult Checklist and later pressurised the woman into a signing a document called the Prayer of Repentance, the Medical Practitioners’ Tribunal Service was told.
The doctor further exploited her vulnerability by quoting the Bible at her, taking her to religious meetings, praying with her at home and even programming her television remote to satellite TV’s The Gospel Channel, it was said.
The patient, who was also severely depressed, became convinced she had been possessed by demons and all her troubles were because of the devil. She was allegedly told to stop taking anti depressants and blood pressure medication.
The patient met O’Brien in August 2012 when he was a locum at Apsley Surgery in the Corbridge Health Centre in Stoke.
Peter Atherton, counsel for the General Medical Council, said: “She first consulted Dr O’Brien by telephone when she was in great pain, depressed and suicidal.
“In the course of that telephone consultation Dr O’Brien asked her if she had a faith and she said she didn’t he told her his wife knew of a different way that could heal her that did not involve medication.”
The woman later told her psychiatrist of the doctor’s conduct, who in turn wrote a letter to the GMC which sparked an investigation.
O’Brien denies the allegations and did not attend the fitness to practise hearing in Manchester but in a letter said he has resigned from medicine.
He said: “I know what went on and what my wife and I did or did not do. Even if they [GMC] did side with me, I know true justice will be done one day and no-one can escape from that. The allegations have been severe enough to break anyone down emotionally and I’m grateful for my faith which sustained me throughout the ordeal.
“I forgive the patient and her husband and also the psychiatrist for the horrendous allegations against my wife and me.
“We are enjoying living a quiet private life and we are able to help many more people than I would have done by staying in the NHS. God knows everything and will judge fairly.”
The case continues.