A DOCTOR who was strongly criticised over her treatment of a North Yorkshire cancer patient could be suspended or barred from practising as a GP.

NHS North Yorkshire and York has told Ryedale cancer patient Christine Hutchinson it is investigating complaints into the care provided by Dr Elizabeth Bradley, of Terrington Surgery, near Malton.

The primary care trust said in a letter that a Performers Regulatory Panel meeting on November 6 in Harrogate would consider the evidence collected and decide whether there were patient safety issues and any further action was needed.

Medical director Dr David Geddes said this might result in the doctor having limitations placed on her working practice, a period of suspension for further investigation or removal from the local performers’ list, which would mean that she could not practise as a GP.

He said the trust had decided to ask some patients who have made a complaint to attend as witnesses, and Dr Bradley and her legal respresentative would also be invited.

The Press reported in January how Dr Bradley had wrongly diagnosed Mrs Hutchinson, of Westow, near Malton, as suffering from fibromyalgia. Her spine was later found to have collapsed and she was diagnosed as suffering from the cancer myeloma.

The Health Service Ombudsman said Dr Bradley’s standard of care fell so far short of the applicable standard as to amount to “service failure.”

He subsequently revealed he had concerns about other patients’ safety because she had failed to produce an adequate action plan to address the serious failings.

The General Medical Council decided in August to reopen an investigation into Dr Bradley's fitness to practise following the Ombudsman’s further criticisms.

Dr Geddes said: “We can confirm that Dr Bradley has been working with the PCT to address the issues highlighted by the complaint from Mrs Hutchinson and subsequently reported on, in the Ombudsman’s report. A statement has been requested from Mrs Hutchinson to help the PCT address any ongoing concerns.”

The trust said the practice had said it would be in a position to make a statement early next week. The practice has previously said it was in active discussions with the trust to address any deficiencies identified and had made good progress, and it did not believe there were issues that might affect other patients’ safety.