A PHONE-line set up following the suspension of a North-East consultant surgeon took 70 calls on its first day yesterday.

Orthopaedic specialist Mr Kassim Mahdi stepped down from hospitals in Bishop Auckland and Durham this week pending an investigation into his work.

His employer, County Durham and Darlington NHS Trust, has said only that the investigation will look at aspects of Mr Mahdi's clinical practice. It has referred the issue to the General Medical Council, which will decide what action should be taken.

The trust has refused to give details of the nature of the investigation or say whether it acted following any complaints from patients. A spokesperson said last night that the calls to the special Patient Inquiry Line were confidential.

Meanwhile, arrangements have been made for Mr Mahdi's patients to be seen by other consultants.

The father-of-two has worked at Bishop Auckland General Hospital for ten years, joining with a national reputation for skills and knowledge of shoulder surgery.

He has worked at Bishop Auckland and at the University Hospital of North Durham since the middle of October.

One patient said last night he owed him a huge debt of gratitude.

Oil rig worker James Sutherland, 37, from Ferryhill, smashed his shoulder when he hit a steel barrier at 140 mph during a motorbike race two years ago.

He said last night: "Mr Mahdi gave me my life back when everybody else had given up.

"I would never have worked again without him. Mr arm was numb. I was looking at life on the sick.

"He rebuilt my shoulder in a seven-hour operation and it is as good as new. He went above and beyond. He was at the hospital all hours.