A DOCTOR accused of failing to identify cancer in 18 women has been suspended from carrying out breast assessment work.

Dr Glenn Anthony Kelly is alleged to have given the women the all-clear while working as a senior radiologist at the Accrington Victoria Hospital.

The General Medical Council (GMC) has imposed 10 conditions on his registration.

The GMC's Interim Orders Panel said Dr Kelly could not carry out any breast assessment work until May 2011.

But its investigation is still underway and it could yet call him before a Fitness to Practise hearing to consider whether to strike him off the register altogether.

A GMC spokesman said: “It's not a final finding of fact against the doctor.

“He can still practise but only with these conditions on his registration.

“This order will last for 18 months but will be reviewed every six months.”

The consultant has not conducted breast screenings since last December and not worked at the trust since April.

It was revealed in September that 355 mammograms had to be re-checked when colleagues raised concerns at the East Lancashire Hospitals NHS Trust.

Eighty-five women had to undergo a second breast examination, and 14 were told they had invasive breast cancer. Another four women were diagnosed with a secondary breast condition, ductal carcinoma in situ.

Some of those affected were from Blackburn and Darwen but the majority live in Burnley, Hyndburn, Pendle, Rossendale and the Ribble Valley.

Dr Kelly qualified from the University of London in 1980 and had been registered as a clinical radiologist since September 1999.

It is understood that he had reached clinical director level at the hospital 15 years ago.