A GP found guilty of serious professional misconduct after botching the treatment of two patients who later died, has been allowed to carry on practising.

Dr Jane Gustafsson, 51, was found guilty of serious clinical misjudgement and the level of her care for both patients ''departed gravely'' from that expected of a doctor, the General Medical Council found.

But after a four-day hearing in London, the medical watchdog's professional conduct committee decided not to ban the doctor but ordered her to undergo assessment of her skills and act upon any recommendations within the next six months.

After 12 months, the comm-ittee will reconsider the case.

Dr Gustafsson was found to be at fault over her treatment of two emergency patients at her surgery in Seaham, County Durham.

Retired miner William Brettwood, 77, died in April 1997, three days after mistakenly being given a huge dose of painkillers meant for another patient at Seaton View Nursing Home.

During an emergency phone call from a nurse, Dr Gustafsson advised that Mr Brettwood, who was suffering chronic breathing problems, be monitored every 30 minutes.

Dr Gustafsson admitted failing to take immediate and appropriate steps to ensure Mr Brettwood's well-being.

The hearing also heard of a case involving Edward Hood, 50, an insulin dependent diabetic treated as an emergency patient at the surgery on May 29, 1997.

Richard Tyrrel, for the GMC, told the hearing that Dr Gustafsson dealt with him in a ''rather hurried manner''.

Dr Gustafsson denied a charge of inadequately caring for Mr Hood, and also denied serious professional misconduct.

The committee decided the charges were proved, and found Dr Gustafsson guilty of serious professional misconduct involving both patients.

The committee concluded: ''You failed to appreciate how ill Mr Hood was at the time, although there were sufficient clinical indications for it to be necessary for you to take greater care in your assessment.

''Your conduct in these two cases departed gravely from good clinical practice and the committee finds you guilty of serious professional misconduct.''

But the GMC panel decided against banning Dr Gustaf-sson.

It said: ''You are described as a doctor who really does care and shows outstanding dedication.

''You are portrayed as being considerate, sympathetic, supportive and honest."