A FAMILY doctor has been cleared of serious professional misconduct.

Dr Nabil Naroz, from Hett Hill, near Chester-le-Street, County Durham, was brought before the General Medical Council's (GMC) professional conduct committee in Manchester, over the treatment of three patients at the Trinity Medical Centre, South Shields, South Tyneside.

Allegations that his practice secretary cancelled a patient's appointment with a gynaecologist in 1996, following a referral by a locum GP, and that he failed to discuss the cancellation with the patient or doctor were proven.

But other allegations that Dr Naroz cancelled another patient's appointment to see a consultant general surgeon over a lump on her neck in May 1997 and then offered to perform neck surgery on her, were dropped.

Another charge, that he failed to arrange a follow-up review after giving a third patient high doses of morphine for inoperable lung cancer, was also deleted.

The GMC committee found him not guilty of serious professional misconduct and said: "We are satisfied that if the facts remaining in dispute were to be found proved, some aspects of Dr Naroz's conduct would fall below the standard to be expected, but not so far below as to amount to serious professional misconduct."

A South Tyneside NHS Primary Care Trust spokesman said: "We note the decision of the GMC. We will continue to work closely with the practice to help to ensure that patients get the quality of care they should expect to receive.

"If patients have any queries we would suggest they ring the PCT's Patient Advice and Liaison Service (Pals) on Freephone 0800 783 2556."