A PRESTWICH doctor has been suspended amid a probe into the running of his surgery.

The move has been taken by Bury and Rochdale Health Authority following an investigation into the operation of 50-year-old Dr Colin Ogdon's Prestwich Health Centre practice in Fairfax Road.

But preliminary conclusions have shown no evidence that patients were treated by a "rogue" doctor.

Earlier, a 33-year-old convicted criminal, Darren Gerrard, was the subject of an inquiry by Bury and Rochdale Health Authority chiefs.

It had been feared he had allegedly treated and advised patients despite having no medical qualifications. Gerrard had been working as a finance adviser at the surgery. He was escorted off the premises by police in April after staff at the surgery complained that he was a danger to patients.

Police launched an investigation to determine if Dr Ogdon, who has been on sick leave, was aware of the situation and financial matters concerning Gerrard's employment.

A report was presented to a health authority meeting on Wednesday (June 14) detailing the preliminary results of the inquiry.

It stated there was no evidence to date that could substantiate that an individual who is not medically qualified acted in the capacity of a medical practitioner in a diagnostic or consulting capacity.

But the investigation prompted the authority to successfully pursue an NHS tribunal to place an interim suspension on Dr Ogdon from practising in the NHS. He has 30 days in which to appeal.

Meanwhile, there are ongoing investigations which include alleged fraud. The probe is being carried out by police and the health authority which took over the running of the surgery in April.

The reasons which prompted the authority to pursue the NHS tribunal include storage of controlled drugs without due regard to approved protocols, the absence of computer information and an individual's access to vulnerable patients, namely substance misuers.