A NORTH-EAST hospital consultant has been suspended from clinical practice after health chiefs launched an investigation into his work.

Orthopaedic surgeon Kassim Mahdi has had to leave his post at Bishop Auckland General Hospital, in County Durham, pending an investigation.

His employer, County Durham and Darlington NHS Trust, confirmed yesterday that the consultant has been reported to the medical watchdog, the General Medical Council, for external investigation.

He will continue to receive his full salary and is understood to be contesting the suspension.

Fearing the inquiry would spark dozens of calls from concerned patients of Mr Mahdi, the trust has set up a special phone line.

Anyone who wants to speak to the trust about the investigation is asked not to flood local clinics or hospitals with direct calls but to telephone the Patient Inquiry Line on (01325) 743950.

A spokesman said yesterday: "We can confirm that Mr Kassim Mahdi, a consultant orthopaedic surgeon working for the trust, has been formally excluded from work pending an investigation into aspects of his clinical practice.

"We are referring the matter to the General Medical Council, which will look at the information provided and decide what action may be necessary.

"Arrangements have been made for patients due to be seen by Mr Mahdi to be seen by other consultants.

"We cannot make any further comment at this stage."

Mr Mahdi has worked for the trust at Bishop Auckland General Hospital for ten years and was for some time the only permanent consultant in the orthopaedic department.

Since the middle of October, he has worked at the University Hospital of North Durham, in Durham City, as well as at Bishop Auckland General.

The father of two young children qualified as a Bachelor of Medicine and Surgery in 1970, in Baghdad.

By the time he joined County Durham and Darlington NHS Trust, he had earned himself a national reputation for skills and knowledge about shoulder surgery.

One source, who did not wish to be named, said that a new system of work for the orthopaedic team requires consultants to work at several of the trust's hospitals.

The source told The Northern Echo: "A team of people are about to descend on his work."

Supporters of Mr Mahdi say he is an experienced consultant who has always put his patients' needs first.

Among them was Valerie Bryden, chief officer with the former South Durham and Weardale Community Health Council (CHC), which used to act as an independent advisor for people who had difficulties with NHS services.

She said: "Mr Mahdi has worked his socks off for the trust, and I believe he was an extremely proficient surgeon, very caring and wholly dedicated to his patients.

"With the CHC, there were far fewer complaints made about him than any other consultant.

"I can only remember one, and I think he has been based at Bishop Auckland for 12 or 15 years."

Mr Mahdi told The Northern Echo last night: "I am extremely sorry but I have been advised not to say anything."