NHS England say millionaire Desmond D'Mello initially agreed to assist inquiry but has now instructed lawyers to represent him
A dentist at the centre of a major health scare is allegedly refusing to help an NHS investigation.
Millionaire Desmond D’Mello has instead instructed lawyers to represent him, NHS England claims.
Mr D’Mello has been suspended amid claims he failed to wash his hands, change gloves and sterilise equipment between appointments.
Some 22,000 patients now face tests for HIV, and hepatitis B and C.
The dad-of-three, 60, is also being investigated by the General Dental Council. Sources say he initially agreed to assist NHS England and had a blood test.
But Dr Doug Black, medical director for NHS England in Nottinghamshire, says Mr D’Mello has refused to help further despite several requests. It’s also been hard to find patients because of poorly kept records, it is alleged.
Dr Black said: “Mr D’Mello has been offered several opportunities to formally respond to the ongoing investigation, but as yet, has not done so.”
Almost 2,000 former patients have contacted NHS England. It has also emerged Mr D’Mello was investigated in 2009 after a complaint.
Yesterday his first-ever patient Angela Donaldson, who’s attended his clinic in Arnold, Notts, since the 80s, said: “He’d use the same gloves to treat me and my son. I never saw him change them.”
Meanwhile Nottinghamshire Police are probing the death of Amy Duffield, 23, who died from an infection 10 days after being treated by Mr D’Mello.
