AN inquiry was demanded today into why a Darwen doctor with two formal warnings for the way he treated patients was suspended after a disciplinary hearing was told his mistreatment of a local man was an "isolated" incident.

Dr Ahmed Zaman was suspended for four months by the General Medical Council (GMC) after being found guilty of serious professional misconduct. The GMC hearing was told that Dr Zaman, who is based at Darwen Health Centre, would have been treated more harshly but for the fact it "appeared to be an isolated case".

But, as revealed in Saturday's Lancashire Evening Telegraph, the doctor has already received two formal cautions from former local medical bodies, which are now part of the East Lancashire Health Authority, after complaints were received about separate incidents.

Today the GMC said it was looking into the matter as calls were made for an inquiry into why the GP's previous record was not taken into consideration by the GMC.

The five-day hearing, which ended on Friday, found Dr Zaman guilty of inappropriate behaviour when he arranged for seriously ill Thomas McHugh to be admitted to a residential home he owned and inadequately treating the patient. The 69-year-old died was described as seriously in need of hospital treatment. He died in February 1999

Dr Zaman was also found guilty of lying to an inquiry into Mr McHugh's death, but was cleared of a similar charge relating to Mr McHugh's wife Mary and of failing to provide cover for the couple while he was on holiday.

Sue Middlehurst, of Powell Street, Darwen, complained in 1991 after Dr Zaman refused to come out and see her sick daughter Tracy.

Tracy, who was 11 at the time, was later taken to hospital with a burst appendix and had to undergo an emergency operation.

Several years earlier the GP was given his first formal caution after a patient he failed to visit died.

John Kennedy, 64, of Redvers Road, Darwen, suffered from several serious medical conditions but Dr Zaman refused to visit in his home despite several requests. Sue Middlehurst said: "I am absolutely appalled that this man has been allowed to get away with it again.

"He should have been struck off ten years ago when my daughter nearly died and this time around they are saying this an isolated case."

"The whole family is still very bitter about what happened and the fact that this man was allowed to carry on.

"I have still got all the papers and I am willing to take them to the authorities. This should not be allowed to drop.

"There should be an inquiry into why this man has not been struck off once and for all."

A spokeswoman for East Lancashire Health Authority, which initially investigated the latest complaint, said it had made a full and detailed investigation and passed the results to the GMC to deal with.

She said she was unable to say at this stage whether details of Dr Zaman's previous reprimands had been passed to the GMC. A spokeswoman for the GMC said they were looking into the matter.

Kath Fielding, manager of Surikha House home for the elderly, owned by Dr Zaman, said the GP did not want to comment on the verdict of the GMC.

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