A MOTHER sobbed yesterday as she recalled the moment when she learnt her gynaecologist had removed her ovaries against her wishes.

Linda Alder, then 35, said she was left devastated following the hysterectomy in summer 1996 carried out by Dr Nazar Amso, 53.

Mrs Alder, who works for Gateshead Council, told the General Medical Council conduct committee: "I didn't want my ovaries to be removed at all, that is why every single conversation we had was about the conservation of my ovaries.

"That's why I put on my consent form that my ovaries were to be conserved.

"If I had to have the ovaries taken out I wouldn't have had the hysterectomy."

Mrs Alder said she signed the consent form, which stated she would keep her ovaries, on the night before her operation at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Gateshead.

But Dr Amso broke the shocking news to her the following day.

"I will never forget the words," she said. "A few days later I asked a nurse was it possible for someone to come back and explain exactly why I had had my ovaries removed.

"I just couldn't take it in. I didn't want to go through menopause at 35."

Dr Amso claims he warned Mrs Alder before the procedure that he may have to remove the ovaries.

Dr Amso, now working in the department of obstetrics and gynaecology at the University of Wales in Cardiff, admits recording in his notes that he was to conserve her ovaries.

He further admits removing the ovaries during the hysterectomy. But he denies failing to obtain the patient's consent and denies it was not necessary to remove them.

He also denies that his behaviour was inappropriate, unreasonable, contrary to Mrs Alder's interest and amounts to serious professional misconduct.

The hearing continues.