Freeman Medical Practitioner Tribunal .Manchester

specialgueststar
specialgueststar Posts: 3,418
edited October 2019 in Pro race
Dr Richard FREEMAN
Medical practitioners tribunal – New
Hearing scheduled
Outcome on impairmentHearing not yet held
Summary of outcomeHearing not yet held
Type of case Misconduct
Hearing date from06 Feb 2019
Hearing date to 05 Mar 2019
Location of hearing St James’s Buildings, 79 Oxford Street, Manchester, M1 6FQ (get directions)
GMC reference number 2854524
Area of practiceManchester
Pre hearing information
Allegation
The tribunal will inquire into the allegation that, on 16 May 2011, Dr Richard Freeman ordered for delivery from Fit4Sport Limited to the Manchester Velodrome 30 sachets of Testogel. It is further alleged that, at the time of the order, Testogel was (and remains) prohibited on the World Anti-Doping Agency List of Prohibited Substances and Methods. It is further alleged that on 18 May 2011, Dr Freeman made untrue statements, in that he denied making the order and advised that it had been made in error.

The tribunal will further inquire into the allegation that, on a date in October 2011, Dr Freeman contacted an individual at Fit4Sport Limited requesting written confirmation that the order had been sent in error, returned and would be destroyed by Fit4Sport Limited, knowing that this had not taken place. It is further alleged that, on a date in October 2011, Dr Freeman showed the email to others knowing that its content was untrue.

The tribunal will further inquire into the allegation that during an interview with UK Anti-Doping on 17 February 2017, Dr Freeman made untrue statements in that he stated that Testogel had been ordered for a non-athlete member of staff and had been returned to Fit4Sport Limited.

It is alleged that Dr Freeman’s conduct as set out above was dishonest. It is further alleged that his motive for placing the Order was to obtain Testogel to administer to an athlete to improve their athletic performance. It is further alleged Dr Freeman’s motive for his actions, in respect of the untrue statements and communications with Fit4Sport Limited, were to conceal his motive for placing the order.

The tribunal will further inquire into the allegation that, when Team Doctor for athletes at British Cycling Federation and Tour Racing / Team Sky, Dr Freeman inappropriately provided medical treatment that did not constitute first aid to non –athlete members of staff. It is further alleged that Dr Freeman failed to inform three patients’ GPs of medication prescribed and reasons for prescribing.

The tribunal will further inquire into the allegation that, in his role as Team Doctor for athletes at British Cycling Federation and Tour Racing / Team Sky, Dr Freeman failed to maintain an adequate record management system. It is further alleged that his management of prescription-only medication (‘POM’) was inappropriate.

The tribunal will further inquire into the allegation that Dr Freeman failed to ensure that the records on a laptop, which was stolen from him on the evening of 27 / 28 August 2014, could be retrieved.

Allegations
This reflects the allegation as it stands at the start of the hearing. The allegation may be amended as the hearing proceeds and when findings of fact are made by the tribunal.

Decisions
All decisions are published online within 28 days of the conclusion of the hearing.

Journalists
If you're a journalist and need up to date information about the allegation throughout the course of the hearing, please contact our press office at pressoffice@mpts-uk.org or call 0161 250 6868.

Private hearings
In accordance with Rule 41(2) of the General Medical Council (Fitness to Practise) Rules 2004, the tribunal may decide to exclude the public from the proceedings or any part of the proceedings, where they consider that the circumstances of the case outweigh the public interest in holding the hearing in public.
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Comments

  • gsk82
    gsk82 Posts: 3,439
    Oh dear

    Dan Roan is suddenly back on cycling for the BBC I noticed.
    "Unfortunately these days a lot of people don’t understand the real quality of a bike" Ernesto Colnago
  • salsiccia1
    salsiccia1 Posts: 3,725
    gsk82 wrote:
    Oh dear

    Dan Roan is suddenly back on cycling for the BBC I noticed.

    Probably wanking himself into a frenzy as we speak
    It's only a bit of sport, Mun. Relax and enjoy the racing.
  • gsk82 wrote:
    Oh dear

    Dan Roan is suddenly back on cycling for the BBC I noticed.

    Pardon my ignorance, what's Dan Roan got to do with it?
    "A cyclist has nothing to lose but his chain"

    PTP Runner Up 2015
  • gsk82 wrote:
    Oh dear

    Dan Roan is suddenly back on cycling for the BBC I noticed.

    Pardon my ignorance, what's Dan Roan got to do with it?
    He's just a d1ckhead, know nothing sports reporter for BBC who, iirc, jumps on the bandwagon with every accusation about drug or other cheating in cycling. Area of specialism is how sky / BC / Chris Froome is cheating.

    I think that's probably what he's got to do with it but others will clarify it better.
  • I wish Dan Roan's next movement to be a hedgehog. Tiresome creature.
  • smithy21
    smithy21 Posts: 2,204
    Dan did some fine work following the Leicester City helicopter crash as well. He’s an absolute weapon.
  • tailwindhome
    tailwindhome Posts: 18,878
    Yeah.
    Dan Roan's the issue.
    “New York has the haircuts, London has the trousers, but Belfast has the reason!
  • ridgerider
    ridgerider Posts: 2,851
    Regardless of Roan, it's a pretty damming charge sheet for the doctor. Let's hope they manage to focus on the facts this time.
    Half man, Half bike
  • Ridgerider wrote:
    Regardless of Roan, it's a pretty damming charge sheet for the doctor. Let's hope they manage to focus on the facts this time.

    This is the General Medical Council. It will certainly be 'factual'.

    Roan on R4 this morning. Didn't hear it
  • [*]The tribunal will further inquire into the allegation that, when Team Doctor for athletes at British Cycling Federation and Tour Racing / Team Sky, Dr Freeman inappropriately provided medical treatment that did not constitute first aid to non –athlete members of staff

    Will Brailsford get a name check? I
  • RichN95.
    RichN95. Posts: 27,137
    [*]The tribunal will further inquire into the allegation that, when Team Doctor for athletes at British Cycling Federation and Tour Racing / Team Sky, Dr Freeman inappropriately provided medical treatment that did not constitute first aid to non –athlete members of staff

    Will Brailsford get a name check? I
    Maybe. More likely Sutton though. But quite possibly both.
    Twitter: @RichN95
  • carbonclem
    carbonclem Posts: 1,579
    So, rumours were that it was for a staff member who had personal issues, as I recall? However this has been denied by said individual, so logical assumption is that it must have been for an athlete?

    It looks like an unproveable scenario that should see the Doctor struck off id guess, and will leave another unanswered question, same as the jiffy bag.
    2020/2021/2022 Metric Century Challenge Winner
  • salsiccia1
    salsiccia1 Posts: 3,725
    What happened to Wiggins and his sinister jiffy bag details? Might there be a link?
    It's only a bit of sport, Mun. Relax and enjoy the racing.
  • Wiggins and others had more patches on them than a Yorkshire vets inner tube :D

    Maybe Brailsford thought it would make his hair grow
  • Mad_Malx
    Mad_Malx Posts: 4,993
    Wiggins and others had more patches on them than a Yorkshire vets inner tube :D

    Maybe Brailsford thought it would make his hair grow

    Testosterone is responsible for hair loss (in genetically primed individuals). Clearly Brailsford wanted to maintain his Dr Evil pate.
  • orraloon
    orraloon Posts: 12,608
    Now, if I was up to dodgy stuff with banned substances and that, I would definitely order said under my own name for delivery to my operating base, cos nobody would ever find out. Who needs subterfuge?
  • bompington
    bompington Posts: 7,674
    orraloon wrote:
    Now, if I was up to dodgy stuff with banned substances and that, I would definitely order said under my own name for delivery to my operating base, cos nobody would ever find out. Who needs subterfuge?
    It certainly seems like something funny was going on: but, as loon says, it seems a bit unlikely to be the funny stuff that a lot of people think.
  • RichN95.
    RichN95. Posts: 27,137
    CarbonClem wrote:
    So, rumours were that it was for a staff member who had personal issues, as I recall? However this has been denied by said individual, so logical assumption is that it must have been for an athlete?
    I'm not sure the person in question is going to publicly admit that he couldn't get a boner.
    Twitter: @RichN95
  • RichN95.
    RichN95. Posts: 27,137
    bompington wrote:
    orraloon wrote:
    Now, if I was up to dodgy stuff with banned substances and that, I would definitely order said under my own name for delivery to my operating base, cos nobody would ever find out. Who needs subterfuge?
    It certainly seems like something funny was going on: but, as loon says, it seems a bit unlikely to be the funny stuff that a lot of people think.
    Basically it seems that in 2011 Sky were still very much a work in progress and Freeman was working not only for both BC and Sky but also running a private practice all out of the same office with no delineation. The private practice involved banned substances given to non-athletes for such problems as getting an erection and losing weight to look good on TV. Such clients may have included BC/Sky management.

    Then fast forward six years there's a falling out with various parties and one spreads whatever little incriminating evidence he has to tabloid style journalists, omitting key details.

    This is a story of vanity and broken friendships more than doping. (And probably more interesting but less scandalous)
    Twitter: @RichN95
  • RichN95 wrote:
    bompington wrote:
    orraloon wrote:
    Now, if I was up to dodgy stuff with banned substances and that, I would definitely order said under my own name for delivery to my operating base, cos nobody would ever find out. Who needs subterfuge?
    It certainly seems like something funny was going on: but, as loon says, it seems a bit unlikely to be the funny stuff that a lot of people think.
    Basically it seems that in 2011 Sky were still very much a work in progress and Freeman was working not only for both BC and Sky but also running a private practice all out of the same office with no delineation. The private practice involved banned substances given to non-athletes for such problems as getting an erection and losing weight to look good on TV. Such clients may have included BC/Sky management.

    Then fast forward six years there's a falling out with various parties and one spreads whatever little incriminating evidence he has to tabloid style journalists, omitting key details.

    This is a story of vanity and broken friendships more than doping. (And probably more interesting but less scandalous)

    That's going to get a few open mouth s at the tribunal

    Doesn't sound like the action s of a doctor at the top of his game bought into a team that at the time stated their objectives as 1. giving the pills and thrills a wide berth

    I'm trying to read between the lines. Are you saying a macho mysoginist coach could not get a lob on ? Is that what you're saying ?
  • carbonclem
    carbonclem Posts: 1,579
    One assumes a coach could prove it wasn't him, mate, if he subsequently fathered a child late in life? :)
    2020/2021/2022 Metric Century Challenge Winner
  • CarbonClem wrote:
    One assumes a coach could prove it wasn't him, mate, if he subsequently fathered a child late in life? :)
    That sounds like more evidence for the prosecution to me ie performance enhanced :D
  • This is right near my office, may have to pop across if it remains open to the public!
  • Mad_Malx
    Mad_Malx Posts: 4,993
    Even if a non-athelete did come forward and say it was their stash, surely the assumption will be that they have been paid to take the heat off Sky.
  • This is right near my office, may have to pop across if it remains open to the public!

    I'll meet you there. I've got some bits and pieces in the safety deposit in the basement. I bet SKY have too :)
  • RichN95.
    RichN95. Posts: 27,137
    CarbonClem wrote:
    One assumes a coach could prove it wasn't him, mate, if he subsequently fathered a child late in life? :)
    Surely that would show that it worked. Maybe Freeman gave him the stuff and told him to 'Go and have a baby'.
    Twitter: @RichN95
  • carbonclem
    carbonclem Posts: 1,579
    RichN95 wrote:
    CarbonClem wrote:
    One assumes a coach could prove it wasn't him, mate, if he subsequently fathered a child late in life? :)
    Surely that would show that it worked. Maybe Freeman gave him the stuff and told him to 'Go and have a baby'.


    Yes I guess it cuts both ways :D
    2020/2021/2022 Metric Century Challenge Winner
  • gsk82
    gsk82 Posts: 3,439
    bompington wrote:
    orraloon wrote:
    Now, if I was up to dodgy stuff with banned substances and that, I would definitely order said under my own name for delivery to my operating base, cos nobody would ever find out. Who needs subterfuge?
    It certainly seems like something funny was going on: but, as loon says, it seems a bit unlikely to be the funny stuff that a lot of people think.

    Hiding in plain sight
    "Unfortunately these days a lot of people don’t understand the real quality of a bike" Ernesto Colnago
  • RichN95.
    RichN95. Posts: 27,137
    edited January 2019
    Double post
    Twitter: @RichN95
  • RichN95.
    RichN95. Posts: 27,137
    What is interesting about this is that the main controversies - the testogen delivery, the Wiggins TUEs and the jiffy bag - all take place within a very short window of about a month in 2011.
    It's almost as though either the source of these stories had access to information but was then shut out, or a senior staff menber had undue influence over Freeman which was then stopped. Or both.
    Twitter: @RichN95