Two years ago, before the Orleans Criminal Court, Doctor Augustin Roquette did not appear. But, this Tuesday, before the Court of Appeal, the septuagenarian, who still practices in a clinic in the Allier is present. It’s even a man rather sure of himself who comes to give his explanations and dispute the facts with which he is accused, namely the over-irradiation of around ten patients between 2008 and 2009, within the ex-clinic of the Murlins. One of the patients has since died and the others are suffering from serious digestive problems.
At the time, we all had almost the same practice
Already, the doctor disputes all the expert opinions which were carried out within the framework of the instruction and which highlighted too many radiotherapy sessions, too high doses and with a very broad field of application affecting the small pelvis, the pelvis where the bladder is located. “At the time” he said, ” as soon as there was a moderate to high risk of lymph node cancer, pelvic radiotherapy was performed. The benefit/risk for the patient was estimated“. The doctor adds that each decision was made upstream with a multidisciplinary team. “Today, the techniques have evolved, they are more precise and therefore it is difficult to judge what I practiced at the time.“The doctor and his counsel, Maître Patrick Maisonneuve recalled ” that in 2008 there was no medical consensus on pelvic radiotherapy. The recommendations of the authorities on prostate cancer came later”.
Daily hell for patients who have been over-irradiated
Despite everything, did Dr. Roquette abuse his position to charge a maximum number of sessions? ” I think it’s indecent to say that. At the time, I already had free fees. There, we are talking about a dozen patients concerned. At best, it would have brought me 1,000 euros more a year and I remember that I saw 750 patients a year. The doctor therefore believes that he acted in his soul and conscious, he expresses no regret, not even a word of support for the patients. “However, the consequences of this affair are dramatic” precise Gäelle Duplantier, lawyer for several civil parties, “we can talk about Mr Crepin who had his intestines burned after 32 radiotherapy sessions when 10 to 12 would have been enough according to some experts. And, there are those who suffer daily from diarrhea or incontinence. They no longer dare to leave their homes or go to family celebrations. It’s more of a life for them.”
No gross negligence characterized according to the Advocate General
In the 1st instance, in 2020, the Orléants Public Prosecutor’s Office had requested against Doctor Roquette an 18-month suspended prison sentence, a 50,000 euro fine and a ban on practicing. It was this same prosecution that had appealed the release finally pronounced by the judges in June 2020. But, this Tuesday, quite surprisingly, the Advocate General considered that no serious and deliberate fault had been committed. committed.** It therefore leaves to the magistrates of the Court the assessment of a sentence. Judgment was reserved for December 6.