Doctor who slapped autistic boy (5) pays settlement of €7,500 and costs

July 17, 2008

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Doctor who slapped autistic boy (5) pays settlement of €7,500 and

costs

Thursday, July 17, 2008

A DOCTOR slapped a five-year-old child he was treating in his clinic

for autism and attention deficit disorder, a court has heard.

D'Arcy, for Seán Dockerty, said Dr Beyers Oosthuizen had

slapped the boy on the arm when he touched the doctor's computer.

Mr D'Arcy told Circuit Court president Mr Justice Deery that

Seán's grandmother, Sheila McCarthy, had " grabbed Seán from the

doctor's grasp and left the room. "

He said Mrs McCarthy, Kilmahuddrick Road, Clondalkin, Dublin, had

brought Seán to Dr Oosthuizen, who was familiar with his case

history, in the Children's Hospital, Tallaght, in November 2003.

During an examination and discussion dealing with Seán's medication,

Seán became engrossed in the doctor's computer. Dr Oosthuizen grabbed

Seán by the arms, threatened to smack him and then slapped him on the

arm with his open hand. Mr D'Arcy said Seán suffered from severe

expressive and receptive language difficulties and it was difficult

to explain the effect of the incident on him. Afterwards, he had

begun to mimic this type of behaviour by striking himself on his head

with his hand.

Mr D'Arcy told the Circuit Civil Court that Dr Oosthuizen had offered

Seán, who is now aged 11, a €7,500 settlement without any admission

of liability and he was recommending that it be approved by the

court. The judge approved the settlement together with legal costs to

be paid by Dr Oosthuizen and directed that the €7,500 be paid

directly for his care to Seán's grandmother, who seven years ago

sought and had been granted guardianship of the boy she has since

cared for at her home.

A spokeswoman for the Irish Medical Council confirmed yesterday that

Dr Oosthuizen was a South African national who at the time was

registered with the council. He had since voluntarily removed his

name from the register, which indicated he was not practising in

Ireland any more.

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