American doctor Tristram Horton, a neurosurgeon who allegedly endangered the lives of his patients in Gauteng and KwaZulu-Natal hospitals when he operated on them, has been suspended from the Health Professions Council of South Africa’s (HPCSA) register.
Horton worked at Thelle Mogoerane Regional Hospital in 2021, then the Arwyp Medical Centre in Kempton Park and Netcare Linmed in Benoni in 2023 before practising at Mediclinic Newcastle.
The actuality programme Carte Blanche recently investigated Horton after receiving complaints from patients and colleagues about medical malpractice.
Carte Blanche reported that Horton’s licence to practise in the US was suspended after he allegedly performed botched brain surgeries before coming to SA.
According to the HPCSA’s communications manager, Priscilla Sekhonyana, Horton’s application for registration as a medical practitioner did not meet all the requirements prescribed in the regulations because he did not submit a certificate of good standing from a foreign registration authority where he is/was registered.
“He did not submit the Education Commission of Foreign Medical Graduates report confirming his professional registration with the foreign regulatory body.”
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Victims
Two of Horton’s victims, Mathibela Ramoshaba (19) and Marcia Cronje, openly spoke about their traumatic experiences on Carte Blanche.
Mathibela, diagnosed with cerebral aneurysm, said an immediate operation was needed when doctors discovered he had a blood clot in his brain.
Horton performed the procedure and promised Mathibela’s mother he’d be fine and back in school within four days.
It is reported that the surgery took a tragic turn, leaving the child paralysed after a second surgery.
As a result of the unsuccessful operation, Mathibela was transferred to a step-down facility, where he had to relearn to walk.
Cronje said Horton operated on her after she experienced seizures from an aggressive cancerous tumour.
She said after the operation, Horton said he had successfully removed the tumour. However, her joyful outcome was short-lived.
Netcare Linmed Hospital
Linda Bossert, the hospital general manager, emphasised that Netcare does not employ doctors. The doctors operate independent practices at the hospital.
“The Health Professionals Act and the HPCSA rules and regulations govern doctor practices.
“The HPCSA is the statutory body governing medical practice in SA. The council sets and enforces professional and ethical standards for healthcare providers to protect the public and guide the profession.
“This includes professional registrations, investigating complaints and taking disciplinary action when necessary.”
Bossert said they had not experienced any issues with Horton within Netcare and had not received complaints from staff or patients about him.
“However, Horton’s practising privileges have been suspended at Netcare following the recent public allegations, and he has co-operated with our processes in this regard,” explained Bossert.
Arwyp Medical Centre
According to the CEO of Arwyp Medical Centre, Dr Zecharai Esterhuizen, the hospital never employed Horton.
“Private hospitals are not, in terms of the Health Professions Act No. 56 of 1974, as amended, legally permitted to employ doctors, with the result that our ability to manage and control as independent practitioners is limited. The ultimate control over healthcare professionals rests with bodies such as the HPCSA.
“Arwyp Medical Centre, as an institution, grants the right of admission to independent healthcare practitioners after a comprehensive vetting process, per our documented guidelines.
“This includes submission of qualifications by the said practitioner, and we also verify the insurance cover, as well as HPCSA registration on an annual basis.”
Esterhuizen said the Arwyp Medical Centre acknowledges any complaints received regarding a doctor and escalates them to the relevant practitioner, as per protocols.
“Arwyp Medical Centre has terminated the right of admission (ROA) privileges Dr Horton formally had as of June 28 following notification of suspension of registration as an independent practitioner by the HPCSA.
“As an independent practitioner, Horton was granted ROA privileges at Arwyp Medical Centre effective on January 13, 2023, following a stringent vetting process, including verifying valid registration with the HPCSA as an independent practitioner in the neurosurgery specialist category.”
Esterhuizen said Horton practised as a neurosurgeon at the facility and specialised in neurovascular pathology.
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