NHS Highland has been reviewing clinical records of patients who were treated by bogus psychiatrist Zholia Alemi when she worked at an Inverness hospital 16 years ago.
The health board is one of several in Scotland which employed Alemi, a New Zealander who worked in the NHS for 22 years despite having no qualifications.
Earlier this year, the Chief Medical Officer Dr Catherine Calderwood confirmed that Alemi may have referred some patients for needless electro-convulsive treatment.
Other patients may have been detained under the Mental Health Act or “groomed” to gain access to their finances.
Last year, Alemi, who worked elsewhere in the UK, was jailed for five years for defrauding patients after appearing at a court in Carlisle. She took advantage of an elderly patient by changing their will to make herself a beneficiary.
Alemi worked for six Scottish health boards including NHS Highland and NHS Grampian. Her work in the latter region only amounted to one locum shift and she did not have any contact with patients.
But, in 2003, she worked for less than six months at New Craigs hospital in Inverness, Highland’s main psychiatric unit.
Yesterday, Health Secretary Jeane Freeman said consultant psychiatrists were reviewing records across Scotland to identify decisions made by Alemi and to offer advice and support.
She said: “I know that this will be extremely upsetting for people and their families.
“The General Medical Council (GMC) now has processes in place to ensure that this won’t happen again.
“I also wish to reassure people that the remainder of their care and treatment was delivered by fully qualified doctors.
“If anyone affected has any further questions, they can get in touch with their local board.”
Alemi claimed she had a primary medical qualification when she first registered in the UK in 1995. But her claim to have a degree from Auckland University in New Zealand was fraudulent.
The General Medical Council said Alemi joined the medical register in the UK under a section of the Medical Act that has not been in force since 2003.
This legislation allowed graduates of medical schools in Commonwealth countries to obtain registration on the basis of their qualification, without having to pass a standard two-part assessment.
A NHS Highland spokesman said: “There are a number of ongoing enquiries and therefore we are unable to comment.
“We are reviewing clinical records to identify decisions made by Ms Alemi and will be writing to affected patients to offer appropriate advice and support.”
