Information about Dr Charles Terence Russell

[Olddad]

I have noticed that writers to the Bub Hub have referred to Dr Terry Russell in regrds to circumcision and toungue-tie.

This is the finding about Dr Russell that was presented to Tony Abbott in 2004.


Dr Charles Terence Russell,
General Practitioner, Qld

Dr Russell practiced at Macgregor and Browns Plains in Queensland during the referral period of 1 January 1999 to 31 December 1999 inclusive.

In relation to the rendering of MBS item 30278 (repair of tongue-tie) Dr Russell's conduct was found by the committee to be unacceptable to the general body of general practitioners. In the majority of services examined, the patients had seen Dr Russell for circumcision procedures. He subsequently performed repairs to tongue-ties. Given this pattern, the committee was concerned that while parents consulted with Dr Russell for circumcisions, he opportunistically diagnosed tongue-tie. The committee found there were no clinical indications for the services.

The services were examined in accordance with an approved sampling methodology which resulted in a finding that 90 per cent of MBS item 30278 services rendered by Dr Russell during the referral period were inappropriate. The committee detailed its reasons in a final report to the Determining Authority. Dr Russell did not make a submission on the draft determination. The Authority issued a final determination directing that Dr Russell be reprimanded, counselled and repay $4 488.88. The determination came into effect on 13 February 2004.

The source of this information is the

Letter of Transmittal, Professional Services Review

Presented to the Hon. Tony Abbott MHR
Minister for Health and Ageing
Parliament House
Canberra on 5 October 2004
It can be found at

<www.psr.gov.au/docs/publications/PSRAR04.rtf>

[Lirael]

was this in the media at all?

[Olddad]

Google ["Dr Charles Terence Russell" + circumcision] You'll find the link. As for the media, I simply don't know.

[MotherNurture]

Someone just sent me this:



Medicare Code 30278 (Repair of tongue tie)
Claims for persons aged 0-4
----------------------------------------------------------------
Incidence
per 1.000 boys
Number aged 0-4 years Qld/Aus Ratio M/F Ratio
of -------------- ------------- ---------
Year Claims Qld Aus M F Qld Aus
---- ------ --- --- --- --- --- ---
1994 316 1.9 1.8 1.0 0.6 5.0 3.0
1995 417 2.3 2.2 1.0 1.0 2.4 2.3
1996 435 2.3 2.5 0.9 0.8 3.4 2.9
1997 442 3.0 2.5 1.2 1.0 3.4 2.8
1998 557 4.6 3.1 1.5 0.9 4.2 2.5
1999 644 8.2* 3.8 2.1* 1.3 5.6* 3.4
2000 749 8.9 4.2 2.1 1.1 5.0 2.7
2001 913 7.8 4.9 1.6 1.1 3.3 2.3
2002 765 8.0 4.4 1.8 1.1 4.7 2.9
2003 842 9.4# 4.8 1.9 1.8 3.2 2.9
2004 829 6.3 4.5 1.4 1.4 2.4 2.3
2005 1031 6.4 5.5 1.2 1.2 2.2 2.3

1994-1999 2811 3.7 2.7 1.4 1.0 4.1 2.8
2000-2005 5129 7.8 4.7 1.7 1.3 3.3 2.5

* Figures for Qld in 1999 -- the year for which Russell was
reprimanded. In each case there was a sharp increase from
the corresponding figure in the previous year.

# Almost 1% of boys in Qld received treatment to repair tongue tie
in 2003

The number of claims for persons aged 0-4 more than trebled between
1994 and 2005 - an astonishing increase.

Treatment of boys is between 2 and 3 times as common as treatment
of girls but in 1999 in Queensland, treatment of boys was 5.6 times
as common as treatment of girls.

The incidence in Queensland is higher than in the rest of Australia
and in 1999 in Queensland the incidence of treatment of boys was
over twice the national average.

In 1994, 6 of every 10,000 girls in Australia was treated for tongue
tie, whereas in 2003, 94 of every 10,000 boys in Queensland was
treated for tongue tie.

There were 197 claims for tongue tie repair for boys aged 0-4 in
1999 in Queensland.

Russell was ordered to repay $4488.88 in respect of 90% of his tongue
tie repairs. Thus, if the percentage had been 100%, the required
repayment may have been $4987.60. It's hard to know how much the
average Medicare payment was in respect of Russell's tongue tie
treatments in 1999, but the current 85% benefit for 30278 is only
$34.25. So it's not out of the question that Russell was responsible
for more than 50% of all the claims for tongue tie repair for boys
aged 0-4 in Queensland in that year, which may be what brought his
activities to the attention of the Health Insurance Commission.

The outcome of all that is Russell appears to have performed about 100 unnecessary tongue cutting ops and looking at the figures for the next 3 years probably did about 400 in those 4 years.

Wow.

Jen

[OscarTheGrouch]

Although, as you know, I have no problems with circumcism, even though my boys are not done. I think that what this Dr has done is dispicable. How dare he do that to little children when he's in a position of providing healthcare in this country.:shame: I'm glad he is in the minority in our industry.

[ImSethsMum]

My sisters two boys were both diagnosed with severe tongue tie by peadiatricians and both boys were refered to Dr Russell by different QLD Peads

Im not saying that you are wrong in what you are saying BUT I also think that the fact that most Brisbane/Surrounding area Pead's refer to Dr Russell would have alot to do with why the figure for HIM specifically would be inflated.

My sister asked for a few Dr's names (as she's had opinions from a few Peads to make sure all diagnosis were insync) and none had another Dr's details 'handy' as they said Dr Russell was there Dr of choice.

My sister was also told by the Pead's that in areas where there isnt a Dr who specialises in tongue tie, parents options can be:
* to switch bub to bottle feed (either expressed breat milk or formula) as tongue tie babies have a lot of difficulty attaching properly when being breastfed (this was my sisters experience also)
* or travel to find a specialist.

If it was me and my child had severe tongue tie and needed an opp we would travel .... but for those who might not be able to travel or afford to travel, switching to bottle feed may have been the best option. It also might explain why some regions 'numbers' are lower.

I used to work in health insurance in the claims section and personally processed alot of tongue tie claims from members who lived over NSW border and travelled to Brisbane as reffered to Dr Russell (I also processed their travel allowance claims to support this).

I also know of quite a few regional areas who also had refered claims to Dr Russell.

As Ive said before IM NOT saying that your information isnt correct, Im simply giving the whole picture - as every story does have two sides and deserves to be told. Parents who have been refered to Dr Russell like my sister was also have the right to read ALL information available to make an informed decision.

But while processing claims for 5 years the number of REFERALS to Dr Russell from areas outside of Brisbane were outstanding - so I think all those Pead's cant be wrong in their opinions and recommendations for refering to Dr Russell. If he is the most recognised Dr for performing the proceedure well it would do alot to explain why he has the most number of proceedures.

Hopefully I havent offended anyone by adding this info - just thought it needed to be said.
Thanks
Kelly

[OJandMe]

We saw Dr. Terry Russel for the boys.... and he never said anything at all about tounge-ties

[MotherNurture]

OJandMe,

That doesn't surprise me considering his diciplinary action happened before your son's were born. The concern here is that he's a very profit-driven, unethical doctor who will perform unnecessary, painful procedures on minor children if he thinks he can get away with it. Every elective infant circumcision performed is just such a procedure.

I read a very recent article just this week where he claimed his circumcisions caused "no pain" and boasted to the reporter on the day he was interviewed that he'd already performed 5 circumcisions and it was only 10am. He claimed parents were "flocking" for the procedure. It sounds like he's got quite the assembly line set up.

Jen

[ImSethsMum]

I read a very recent article just this week where he claimed his circumcisions caused "no pain" and boasted to the reporter on the day he was interviewed that he'd already performed 5 circumcisions and it was only 10am. He claimed parents were "flocking" for the procedure. It sounds like he's got quite the assembly line set up.

Jen

Considering the proceedure only takes 15 min to do and his forst appointment is at 8am - its quite easy for him to do 5 before 10am.

Asembly line??? Well he IS the only doctor around South East QLD who will do the circ's so he is in demand - but I have to say at our first appointment he was not pushy, didnt rush us at all, gave a lot of 'for' AND 'against' info and asked us to go home and have a think BEFORE going ahead with anything. The fact he wasnt condesending and bloody rude like MOST doctors are when you bring up the subject was a good thing in my opinion.

I also think that if you are going to bad mouth a DR and publically judge them that you should meet them and make up your own mind. So many people are quick to judge and take a journalists opinion as gospel but I unless you've met the person and discussed your issues with them in person I take those opinions with a grain of salt.

[Olddad]

As some have sprung to the defence of Dr Russell, it is important to point out what was revealed of his behaviour.

First, the determination against him came from a Professional Services Review, that was presented to the Minister for Health, Mr Abbott, in 2004. It is not just badmouthing a doctor, it is an official review under the Health Insurance Act, 1973.

This review found that "he opportunistically diagnosed tongue-tie". it stated, "Dr Russell's conduct was found by the committee to be unacceptable to the general body of general practitioners."

"The Authority issued a final determination directing that Dr Russell be reprimanded, counselled and repay $4 488.88. The determination came into effect on 13 February 2004."

Three other things should be noted:
* On figures for tongue tie, Queensland rates were much higher than figures for Australia as a whole.
* "The committee found there were no clinical indications for the services."
* Dr Russell did not make a submission on the draft determination.

<www.psr.gov.au/docs/publications/PSRAR04.rtf>

Parents have a right to know the finding that was made against Dr Russell.

[jorey]

We took our son to Dr Russell for his circumcision. no one forced us nor the dr. He did a great job and he's very professional.

I personally think we should not be judgmental. We need to look at the whole picture. If you don't like what Dr Russell does, don't go for him. BUT there are plenty of people who have used him and are happy with it. We should be careful to view our opinion on others especially if you are judging only by looking at a piece of information.

[Olddad]

I personally think we should not be judgmental. We need to look at the whole picture. .

It's not the people on this forum who are being judgmental, it was the Federal authorities. They were the ones who made a finding against him and ordered him to pay back money to Medicare.