Thread: Doctor 'acted illegally' by circumcising boy

The boy was staying with his grandparents when the procedure was performed
A doctor accused of circumcising a boy without his mother's consent should be prosecuted, a leading human rights lawyer has said.
The three-month-old boy was circumcised for religious reasons while staying with his paternal grandparents in 2013.
A police investigation was dropped but Saimo Chahal QC wants Nottinghamshire Police to take action against Dr Balvinder Mehat.

The doctor told the BBC it would not be appropriate for him to comment.
He has not clarified whether or not he had been told that the mother had consented to the procedure.

The boy was circumcised at Bakersfield Medical Centre in Nottingham
Nottinghamshire Police said in a statement: "Where a victim or member of the public feel a decision made by us to discontinue an investigation should be reviewed, we will always welcome an appeal.
"We are absolutely dedicated to getting the best for our victims and will always work with them and support them."

The boy's mother believes circumcision amounts to MGM, or "male genital mutilation", and is "inhumane".
"I am deeply hurt by what has happened to my son and the suffering I have been forced to witness," she said.
"No amount of money in the world could make right what's been done, and my only hope is to raise awareness of MGM and reveal the true suffering this procedure really inflicts on tiny babies.
"My life will never be the same again and I dread my son growing up and learning what happened to him."

The law and ethics of male circumcision: BMA guidelines
Both parents should normally give consent for "non-therapeutic" or "ritual" circumcision, i.e. when the procedure is not carried out for medical reasons
When parents disagree about whether a child should be circumcised, doctors should not circumcise without the leave of a court

Doctors must make accurate, contemporaneous notes of discussions, consent, the procedure and its aftercare
The medical harms or benefits of circumcision have not been unequivocally proven but there are clear risks of harm if the procedure is done inexpertly

All children who are capable of expressing a view should be involved in decisions about whether they should be circumcised, and their wishes taken into account

The boy was circumcised at Bakersfield Medical Centre in Nottingham on 31 July 2013.
His mother originally contacted social services, then contacted police on 24 November 2014.
There was a police investigation but the force deemed it not to be a criminal matter, and the matter was referred to the General Medical Council.
The General Medical Council said it would not be able to confirm whether or not Dr Mehat is under investigation, and would not be able to add to the information given by police.

Dr Mehat said in a statement: "It would be inappropriate to comment whilst any investigation is ongoing."

"Intactivists" argue that circumcision causes pain and reduces sexual pleasure for men and their partners
The mother is being assisted by Tim Alford from the anti-circumcision group Men Do Complain, who said the boy has already experienced discomfort because of being circumcised.

"He has had a couple of visits to the doctors, one to the NHS emergency centre, with inflammation around the wound," he said.
"Since the hot weather he has had another flare-up, probably due to abrasion against his undergarments.
"The glans, which normally in a four-year-old would be fully protected by the prepuce at all times, looks very red and sore, and the remnants of the prepuce is inflamed, and weirdly stacked-up behind the glans.
"At the moment [his mother] is applying a prescription moisturising lotion, and ensuring he has soft underwear. It's all quite distressing really. Poor lad."

Doctor 'acted illegally' by circumcising boy - BBC News

"My life will never be the same again and I dread my son growing up and learning what happened to him."

illegally performed or not, it is the mothers over the top kvetching and her regular rubbing on of moisturising cream to his penis that will cause far more in the way of difficulties for the boy later in life than the actual procedure itself.

Some mothers do have them.

Originally Posted by taxexile

"My life will never be the same again and I dread my son growing up and learning what happened to him."

illegally performed or not, it is the mothers over the top kvetching and her regular rubbing on of moisturising cream to his penis that will cause far more in the way of difficulties for the boy later in life than the actual procedure itself.

Yeah, and she was so distraught that she couldn't raise the energy to complain for four months.

Originally Posted by ENT

"At the moment [his mother] is applying a prescription moisturising lotion,

ffs...

Non-medical male circumcision should be banned in the UK but currently it is not. In the OP case, it would appear the father wanted it done to his son and the mother disagreed. It would appear the doctor did not follow the BMA ethical guidelines but also did not break UK law so he will likely get a rap on the knuckles by the BMA and be told not to do it again.

Originally Posted by taxexile

there are also proven health benefits in removing this redundant cheese storage facility early in life.

Ahh, it's all clear now, Tax is a fucking roundhead. Explains everything.

Originally Posted by ENT

"No amount of money in the world could make right what's been done,

Here's a hint of what's to come...

Originally Posted by Seekingasylum

Originally Posted by taxexile
there are also proven health benefits in removing this redundant cheese storage facility early in life.

A bit like an appendix really with health benefits for both men and women.

WHO | Voluntary medical male circumcision for HIV prevention

Originally Posted by Maanaam

Yeah, and she was so distraught that she couldn't raise the energy to complain for four months.

Originally Posted by ENT

So what?

Originally Posted by BaitongBoy

"No amount of money in the world could make right what's been done,
Here's a hint of what's to come...

You may be right, BB

Originally Posted by ENT

Do you think that was an "act of love", as you claim such a thing to be Maanaam?

I think you had better find where I made that claim.