A SECOND North-East doctor is to face the General Medical Council (GMC) following complaints from patients.

For some time it has been known that pioneering gynaecologist Peter Silverstone, from Newcastle, was due to appear before a GMC disciplinary hearing.

It is alleged that Mr Silverstone provided sub-standard treatment to patients before, during and after operations at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital in Gateshead, where he worked for 17 years.

Now it has emerged that a second medic, Dr Michael Harbinson, from Rowland's Gill, County Durham, is also due to appear before the GMC's professional conduct committee. Both cases are listed for today.

A GMC spokeswoman said the two cases are linked.

Dr Harbinson, who is a general practitioner, is also alleged to have provided substandard treatment to patients.

Mr Silverstone made medical history in 1979 when he successfully transplanted fallopian tubes from one woman to another as part of infertility treatment.

Before that Mr Silverstone worked at Newcastle General Hospital where he developed a way to reduce the risks involved in inducing birth.

Karen Straughair, acting chief executive with Gateshead Health NHS Trust, said concerns about Mr Silverstone "came to light" when new information was provided by former patients through a helpline.

The trust has submitted the cases of seven women.

Ms Straughair stressed that changes at Queen Elizabeth Hospital since 1993 mean "women can be confident of receiving caring, professional and high quality treatment and support."