A DOCTOR who failed to immediately treat a pregnant woman’s life-threatening condition kept his job after pleas by hospital chiefs.

Dr Sami Al Shenar, a junior gynaecologist, was brought before the General Medical Council on Monday after investigations into the incident at Wythenshawe Hospital, Manchester, three years ago.

But the council took no action against him after bosses at the Royal Blackburn and Burnley General hospitals, where he now works, vouched for his skills.

Dr Al Shenar had admitted to the council’s fitness to practise panel that he had failed to take urgent action when Michelle D’Rosario, 36, of Stockport, was taken to Wythenshawe Hospital in October 2005, suffering high blood pressure, swelling, and sight problems.

The doctor did not check her blood pressure again, or carry out scans and swabs to check the size and condition of the baby, the GMC heard. Days later, Mrs D’Rosario was found to have pre-eclampsia.

Her daughter Nina was delivered two months prematurely and died shortly afterwards.

The panel ruled that Dr Al Shenar did not act in the best interests of the patient, and that his work had not been up to the expected standard.

But they decided to take no further action against him after East Lancashire hospitals’ medical director and gynaecology specialist Rineke Schram told them he was “diligent, conscientious and knowledgeable” in his role at the Royal Blackburn and Burnley General hospitals.

Dr Al Shenar told the council that he would now act differently in that situation. The panel had been told Mrs D’Rosario had not shown all the recognised symptoms of pre-eclampsia, which can put both mother and baby’s life at risk through affecting the brain, liver, kidneys and placenta.

The doctor had ordered further tests, but was found not to have acted quickly enough. The panel heard, however, that Nina would not have survived even if he had acted differently.

In their judgement the panel said Dr Al Shenar had 'remedied the deficiencies' highlighted by the case. They said: "We are satisfied that it is highly unlikely that your misconduct will be repeated."