The Irish Medical Council's Fitness to Practice Committee has recommended that a Cork GP, who admitted skimming over a report advising surgery for a now terminally ill patient, be suspended from practicing for three months.
Dr Patrick Lee, who has a practice in Ballincollig, Co Cork, had also admitted trying to cover up his mistake.
The report found that Dr Lee's behaviour fell seriously short of the standards expected of a medical practitioner.
It concluded that his dishonesty and deliberate deception and persistent attempts to avoid taking responsibility for his failure to carefully and comprehensively read and follow up on 50-year-old Martin Dorney's histology report in 2003 constituted disgraceful and dishonourable conduct.
Its recommendation is that he is suspended from practicing for three months and undergoes supervision for a period of two years.
An audit of the results on all tests carried out on his patients for the past five years has also been recommended.
A general meeting of the Medical Council will consider the recommendations at a later date.
In a statement, issued through his solicitors, Mr Dorney said that he is not a vindictive or bitter person, but he is concerned that what happened to him could reoccur and affect other patients in the devastating way that it has affected him.
Mr Dorney said Dr Lee had apologised to him personally and he had accepted his apology.
He urged both the College of General Practitioners and the consultants who are involved in the issuing of results to GPs to review their procedures to see how these can be tightened up.
He said it is too late for him, but he just hoped it is not too late for somebody else.
He also wanted to thank the hundreds of people who have contacted him since last Friday to offer sympathy, support and prayers.
He said this is a source of great comfort to him and his family.
