A HEALTH watchdog has been asked to investigate more than 250 north-east medics amid allegations of faked qualifications, botched surgical procedures and even sexual misconduct.
Figures obtained by the Press and Journal reveal that the number of NHS Grampian doctors being reported to the General Medical Council has soared in the past six years.
The body, which regulates medical professionals across the UK, has now investigated 254 of the health board’s doctors since 2007.
The total includes 85 in 2010 alone – more than in the previous three years combined.
Individuals investigated include shamed surgeon Emmanuel Labram, who lied to his patient that her brain tumour had been removed, and Douglas Harris, who was put on the sex offenders register after being found guilty of trawling paedophile websites in 2010.
Victoria Waugh was also struck off after she admitted illegally issuing prescriptions for herself and family members, while Robert Heintjes – who worked at two of Grampian’s biggest hospitals – was investigated after he lied about his qualifications to get a job.
It also emerged yesterday that patients and their families have made an average of five complaints a day to NHS Grampian over the past year.
The health board has paid out more than £900,000 to people who sued it.
Last night, politicians said they were concerned that the public was being kept in the dark about the number of doctors under investigation.
North East Labour MSP Richard Baker said it was time for the NHS to “drag” such figures out into the open and not wait for the next rogue doctor to be exposed.
A Scottish patient group accused the NHS of “losing control” of the situation.
But the health authority said it was satisfied the number of referrals to the professional-standards body was falling again, and that it actively encouraged people to complain to make the system better for everyone in the long run.
Figures seen by the Press and Journal showed that, between 2007 and 2009, 70 complaints about doctors were referred to the GMC – 18 in 2007, 26 in 2008 and 26 in 2009.
During 2010, however, 85 doctors were investigated – 22 at a serious “stream one” level and 25 at “stream two”, where the initial allegation is less serious but could indicate a worrying underlying pattern.
In 2010, 59 medics were referred to the GMC and in 2012 there were 40.
An NHS spokesman said the number of doctors accused could be even higher as a whole practice could be included in just one complaint.
Conservative MSP Alex Johnstone said the NHS was making the situation worse by keeping the public in the dark.
Mr Baker added: “This is a surprisingly high number of referrals. It’s clear we only hear about the most high-profile cases.”
Margaret Watt, of the Scotland Patients Association, said she was worried the number of investigations remained high.
“The NHS is losing control,” she said. “There is not enough funding and not enough doctors and nurses, and we are not bringing in people who all have the right qualifications.”
A spokeswoman for NHS Grampian said it was encouraging that patients felt comfortable enough to express their concerns and most complaints could be settled locally and quickly.