A NHS doctor has been suspended for a sixth time because she can’t speak English, with colleagues warning her language skills put patients at risk.
Dr Monika Matko, who trained in Hungary, was working at the University Hospitals of Derby and Burton NHS Foundation Trust in 2019 when concerns were first raised about her communication skills.
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Since then, she has been repeatedly suspended on multiple occasions.
Dr Matko has now been banned indefinitely from practising, following a review by the Medical Practitioners Tribunal Service (MPTS) last week.
A tribunal heard that Dr Matko, who graduated in 2003, had made “significant errors” while documenting care for a diabetes patient.
This incident prompted worries from colleagues over her written and spoken English.
An email submitted as evidence claimed her work had to be “constantly cross-checked” by others, placing strain on the wider team.
The General Medical Council (GMC) ordered Dr Matko to take an English language test – but she failed to meet the required scores in listening, reading, and writing.
As a result, she was initially suspended for six months, with a review to take place to assess whether things had changed.
This later hearing review revealed that she again failed to achieve the required scores in listening, reading, writing, and speaking in another test, which resulted in her receiving a 12-month suspension.
Three more annual tribunals have been held since, each resulting in a 12-month suspension due to her continued impairment.
Within that time, the results of more English tests have not met the required scores for the GMC’s satisfaction.
At the most recent hearing on August 29, the tribunal said there was still “no objective evidence” that Dr Matko had improved her English to a safe standard for practising medicine in the UK.
Gurdit Singh, representing the GMC, acknowledged that Dr Matko had provided positive references from recent roles.
However, none addressed her language skills specifically.
Dr Matko who was not present at the latest hearing, had listed various language courses she was taking, but failed to provide any certificates or test results to back this up.
Tribunal chair Sean Ell ruled her fitness to practise remains impaired, and confirmed she would be suspended indefinitely.
He added: “There continues to be a lack of evidence that Dr Matko now has the necessary knowledge of English.”
While the panel said they recognised her efforts to improve, they found “little progress” had been made since the last review.
It was also noted by Mr Singh that it was unclear when she planned to take further language tests.
Current rules mean doctors cannot be struck off solely due to language difficulties.
However, they can be suspended if public safety is at risk.
