STRUCK-OFF Blackpool surgeon Steven Walker could face criminal charges following findings of serious professional misconduct by the General Medical Council (GMC).

Mr Walker, a consultant general surgeon at Blackpool Victoria Hospital, was struck off for five years this week.

He was investigated after bungling operations at the Vic which resulted in four deaths and six people being left disfigured.

And now Mr Walker's actions could be the focus of police enquiries. A police spokesman said this week that in light of the GMC's findings, Blackpool and Fylde coroner Samuel Lee has requested from the GMC details of all evidence in the cases where death occurred.

"When further information is provided a decision will be made as to what further action is required. The Lancashire Constabulary will be liaising with the coroner in this regard," he said.

Mr Walker, aged 45, had performed specialist operations for which he was not qualified, including breast, bowel and liver procedures.

The GMC heard that Mr Walker had performed the operations in a desire to put the hospital "on the map" and to gain further experience of difficult surgical cases.

During one operation in December 1995, 70-year-old Stalmine woman Dorothy McPhee lost 17 litres of blood over two hours as Mr Walker tried to remove a tumour from her liver. The operation should only have been performed at a hospital with a specialist unit. Mrs McPhee died.

And the GMC heard evidence that the surgeon had been for a coffee break during a bowel operation in January 1998 on 62-year-old Margaret Wilson from Singleton. Mrs Wilson lost more than 20 litres of blood during the operation. She died that day.

The hearing also heard that in one breast reconstruction operation Mr Walker discovered that the implant was too small and suggested to a horrified theatre nurse that he could insert two implants.

The GMC was told that he sent for a replacement implant from Preston in a taxi while the patient was on the operating table. And there were further allegations that he had used sticky tape to re-position an implant.

Anaesthetists at the Vic became increasingly concerned by Mr Walker's actions. Eventually they refused to work with him. He was suspended on January 7 1999.

Mr Walker was appointed as consultant general surgeon at the Vic on April 1 1995. A hospital spokesman said that he had an impressive CV, good references and was interviewed by representatives of the Royal College of Surgeons and the University.

He said that on three occasions between 1996 and 1998 concerns were raised about specific areas of his work.

"On each occasion the Trust took immediate action and Mr Walker was stopped from doing these types of procedures. During this time there was no reason for the Trust to doubt his overall competence as a surgeon," he said.

He added that in October 1998 concerns of a more general nature were raised about the levels of high blood loss and the surgeon's overall clinical judgement. Following a review of some of his cases, which concluded that there was a cause for concern, a meeting with the surgeon was arranged.

However, prior to the meeting, consultant anaesthetist Dr Nicholas Harper told the hospital's medical director that he could no longer work with Mr Walker.

The surgeon was told two days later that he could no longer carry out operations until more investigations had taken place.

"The Trust would like to point out that each time a concern was raised about Mr Walker action was taken appropriately and promptly.

"The Trust has procedures in place in which nurses, doctors and other health professionals can raise concerns about a clinician's competence. It was the use of these procedures that led to Mr Walker's suspension," said the hospital spokesman.

He added that the Trust commended the staff members who were involved in the enquiry and who had the care and well-being of patients in mind. "The Trust has provided support to them throughout the investigations," he said.

The hospital has a dedicated phone line for patients or relatives who require further information and support (01253) 306661.