A DOCTOR could be struck off after being called to answer four charges of professional misconduct relating to the treatment of a Darwen man and his wife.

Dr Ahmed Zaman, whose address was given as The Health Centre, Union Street, Darwen, is accused of failing to arrange proper treatment for Thomas and Mary McHugh.

Mr McHugh died in February last year.

The General Medical Council's professional conduct committee in London is hearing the case.

For the GMC, Helen Mountfield said that Mr McHugh had suffered from diarrhoea over many years and had gone to Dr Zaman's surgery on October 15, 1996 complaining about passing large amounts of blood.

He returned to the surgery for review a week later but no action was taken.

On November 23 that year, Mr McHugh's son wrote to the GP and expressed concern about the health of both his parents, as his mother Mary was also unwell.

The son made it clear that the family was prepared to pay for private treatment if necessary.

But in the case of his father, the son wanted him to be seen by a specialist because he suspected he was suffering from cancer of the bowel. The doctor visited the couple at their home on November 25 and then arranged for their admission to "a residential home" registered in the doctor's name.

The charge against Dr Zaman read "admission to the home was not in your patient's best interest."

It went on to allege that the GP had not made "adequate arrangements" for the continuing health care of Mr and Mrs McHugh after their admission to the home. In addition, he had not arranged adequate cover while he was on holiday.

When a review panel had asked Mr Zaman about his referral of the couple to the Surikha House residential home, Darwen, he had replied: "There were seven homes in Darwen.

"Out of them, only two take male patients. My name is not there anywhere except with the bank. I have no involvement in it at all, I can assure you."

Mr McHugh's wife Mary said she had become concerned when her 78-year-old husband lost two stone "over a couple of months" without Dr Zaman apparently noticing or becoming concerned.

She felt that she, as well as her husband, should have been referred for specialist treatment in hospital before the crisis occurred.

(Proceeding)

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