Struck-off doctor now working under new name

Above: screen image from Michael Sheill’s website

Dr Michael Sheill was erased from the medical register five years ago for prescribing banned slimming pills at the Wells Clinic, in Ashford, Kent.

But the skin specialist, who was later convicted of dangerous driving, last year advertised his services as a cosmetic doctor, setting up blogs, Twitter profiles and uploading instructional videos on administering Botox on to YouTube.

Although you do not have to be a registered doctor to administer Botox injections, it is illegal for anyone who is not licensed to practice medicine to represent they are registered.

The General Medical Council (GMC), the medical watchdog, states that “doctors must be explicit and proactive about their GMC status.

“They must make it clear whether they are registered with or without a licence to practice. To present themselves as registered with or without a licence when they are not, is a criminal offence.”

Undercover filming

In March, Sheill was secretly filmed by an undercover Channel 4 News reporter giving a consultation at his cosmetic clinic.

Criminal barrister Guy Gozem QC, from Lincoln House Chambers, studied the footage and said that Sheill was passing himself off as a registered doctor.

“The whole setting and everything that appeared to happen may well give an impression that this was a doctor, a surgery, an appointment, a consultation, a prescription, an appointment for the treatment to be administered,” he said.

“He was offered the opportunity to deal with the question about being a doctor as opposed to [a hairdresser] and they were both met by silence, which may speak volumes.”

Above: screen image from the Wells Clinic website

Mis-spelt surname

Oddly, the skin specialist’s surname is now mis-spelt on the Well Clinic’s website. “Sheill” – a typically Celtic surname – is now “Schiel”, which finds its origins in the Westphalia region of Germany.

When “Michael Schiel” is typed into Google’s search engine, the doctor’s profile on the Wells Clinic’s website (see image above) – accompanied with his picture – is sixth on the results page.

This search does not bring up any links to news stories covering the shamed doctor’s various brushes with the GMC and the authorities.

But a search for “Michael Sheill”, the name under which the Kent doctor was registered with the GMC, is peppered with articles from national and local newspapers and broadcasters, who extensively reported on his fitness to practice hearings, and his trail over dangerous driving.

YouTube video

What will no doubt be even more confusing for potential customers of the doctor, is the Wells Clinic website’s home page, which contains a prominent link to a YouTube video featuring Dr. Michael’s Quick Guide To Skin Tags.

Interestingly, the YouTube caption spells the banned practitioner’s name in the same way as the GMC.

It reads: “Dr. Michael Sheill gives us a short guide on Skin Tags.”

Last year, Sheill was in no doubt about the correct orthography of his surname, as demonstrated when he set up his personal website: michaelsheill.co.uk.

Following the Channel 4 News investigation in March, the GMC passed on the case to Kent Police, which launched an investigation into Sheill, but have since dropped the case.

A spokesman for Kent police said officers had not found enough evidence to press charges.

Sheill was unavailable for comment.