Fake doctor treated patients at New Craigs Hospital
A WOMAN from New Zealand who sparked a national scandal after it emerged she operated as a psychiatrist for 22 years without qualifications was employed at the Highland’s main psychiatric hospital.
It is understood that Zholia Alemi was employed for six months in 2003 at New Craigs in Inverness which treats those suffering from the most severe mental health issues.
While there it is believed she worked with patients with learning disabilities who are considered among the most vulnerable at the hospital.
The General Medical Council (GMC) has already apologised for what it called “inadequate” checks on the woman who arrived in the UK in 1995.
The GMC is now going through the records of 3000 foreign employees to ensure there have been no further slip-ups.
Ms Alemi claimed to have a medical degree from Auckland University when she registered to practise in the UK, but in fact had dropped out in the first year of her studies. She was jailed for fraud last month after trying to fabricate a dementia patient’s will to inherit a £1.3 million estate.
An NHS Highland spokesman said: “This individual worked in NHS Highland in 2003. She hasn’t worked here since that time.
“NHS Highland checked with the GMC as to this person’s eligibility to practise as a doctor in the UK prior to her work commencing and at that time understood there to be no issues. Having now been alerted by the GMC, NHS Highland will fully investigate what care was delivered. A part of this will include identifying if any complaints were made against her while she was working here. We would encourage any patients with concerns to contact our feedback team.”
