Suspended doctor paid £310,000

NHS

A GP who has been suspended for undisclosed reasons has been paid £310,000 over three years, Rochdale Online News can reveal.

NHS Heywood, Middleton and Rochdale continued to pay out the full salary as the Full Medical Council (GMC) makes a decision about what to do next.

The GP, from Heywood, was suspended following a complaint, but the Trust says it is unable to reveal any more information.

Lesley Mort, executive director of Primary and Community Care at the Trust, said: "We can confirm that a local GP is currently suspended pending the outcome of a GMC investigation.

"This process can be lengthy and seem frustrating for all parties.

"However, we have a duty to adhere to the regulations associated with payments to a GP during the suspension period."

The figures, obtained by the Liberal Democrats using Freedom of Information laws, have been branded ‘scandalous’ and sparked calls for the doctors’ disciplinary system to be speeded up.”