A FAMILY doctor who has been suspended for more than two years was today due to appear before a disciplinary body.

The General Medical Council (GMC) will decide if Dr Ramesh Murthy's performance was too poor for him to be allowed to practise. The 56-year-old, pictured, was sent home from his surgeries in Meir and Meir Park in February 2008 following the death of retired pottery worker Paul Waters from complications of the C-Difficile infection.

Dr Murthy was then reported to the GMC, which assessed his performance and found it to be either unacceptable or showing cause for concern.

Now the GP, who has worked for the NHS for 30 years, is before the council's Fitness to Practise Panel in a hearing scheduled to last until next Friday. It is looking at whether the allegations amount to "impairment by reason of deficient professional performance."

The charge says that the assessment found Dr Murthy's performance to be unacceptable in seven areas and cause for concern in a further three areas.

It adds: "The assessment team found the results of the tests of his competence suggested poor knowledge and lack of basic examination skills expected of a GP."

Mr Waters's widow Sue, of Meir Park, complained Dr Murthy failed to diagnose a gastric ulcer for a year.