The case of Dr. Bonnemaison divides doctors

Nearly a month after the indictment of Dr. Nicolas Bonnemaison, August 12, accused of poisoning four patients dying in hospital of Bayonne (Pyrénées-Atlantiques), it must appear before Tuesday, September 6 The investigating chamber of the Court of Appeal of Pau, the prosecution appealed against his release.

Judges must decide on the release of the doctor, after calling the prosecution. That's the legal aspect. With regard to possible disciplinary action, the case of Bayonne has rebounded dramatically after the decision Thursday, the county council of the Order not to file a complaint against the emergency room.

A vote (by secret ballot) that caused a double challenge. First, that of its president Marc Renoux, who unlike his colleagues, says Dr. Bonnemaison broke the law and must respond. Marc Renoux, who is about to resign, said he "ashamed" of the vote and a late confusion between "human qualities, professional and intellectual Dr. Bonnemaison (...) and the legal element".

Then, the National Council of the College of Physicians, shocked by the decision of local authorities, decided to issue own tomorrow and this time to bring charges against Nicolas Bonnemaison. "We live in a country of law and are here to enforce the law and medical ethics. It is a guarantee for patients, "says Michel Legmann, its president.
How to explain the decision of the County Council of the Order?

Regarding the vote of his local colleagues, Dr. Legmann has an explanation: "The emotions and emotion took over," he said, referring to "sentimental considerations" and "friendships".

The problem, he continues, "is that it does depart from the imperative duty to punish the breach of the law and ethics." It is essential to respect the collegiality in this case, including Michel insists Legmann.

This is the view of Professor François Goldwasser, an oncologist in Paris and a great expert on end of life. "There was a reflex of solidarity at the local level, reflecting the fact that the public hospital goes wrong, people are exhausted and unite when one of them is attacked. "

However, this should not forget the scandal of the affair in his eyes of Bayonne, curare poisoning done without that patients have expressed the wish to die.
What will happen now?

Tomorrow, the complaint of the National Council of the Order should be "decentralized" is to say, sent to a room other than disciplinary Regional d'Aquitaine, on the grounds that emotion on site overnight in a distanced approach and serenity of the case.

It is she who will decide on sanctions. But André Deseure, the spokesman of the Order, has already stated that "because of the seriousness of it is exposed to radiation or a temporary ban on the right to practice medicine" .