THE standard of the work of a doctor at East Lancashire hospitals was ‘unacceptable’, a tribunal has found.

A panel at the Medical Practitioners Tribunal Service found Dr Syed Muhammed Abid Shah’s performance was below the minimum standard in several areas, including his assessment of patient’s conditions.

While being followed by assessors, the clinician referred to female patients as ‘sweetheart’ and and also used jargon when trying to give answers, the tribunal heard.

Concerns were raised over his ability to provide and arrange treatment, miscalculating the amount of paracetamol an overdosed patient had taken.

Dr Abid Shah’s knowledge was also deemed to be below the acceptable standard after he scored 49 per cent in a test with questions chosen to reflect the work the doctor actually does in practice.

The fitness to practise panel hearing report said: “Although you had provided evidence of some acceptable consultations with patients, there were a number of areas in which your assessments were inadequate.

“These included a consultation with a patient who had suffered a seizure, in which you did not ask pertinent questions as to tongue biting, incontinence, or the use of recreational drugs, nor did you make reference to the reduced level of consciousness.

“In a further consultation of a patient with cognitive difficulties, the assessment team were concerned that you did not introduce yourself to the patient, or ask for her name.

“Bearing in mind the range and level of deficiency revealed in the assessors’ report, the panel accepted the conclusion that your assessment of patients’ conditions was unacceptable.

“Your capacity to arrange or provide appropriate investigations is a cause for concern.”

A spokeswoman for the East Lancashire Hospitals NHS Trust said: “Dr Syed Abid Shah no longer works at the trust.

“He was with us for training, leaving in July 2011.

“We had concerns regarding his performance and reported him to the General Medical Council in August 2011.”

A decision on any sanctions to be made against Dr Abid Shah is set to be made next week.