Hospital consultant in fraud inquiry

The consultant was suspended last week

An investigation is being carried out into allegations of fraud involving a consultant employed at one of the largest hospital's in north Wales.

A doctor who has not been named has been suspended from duty at the Wrexham Maelor Hospital.

The trust is seeking to make provisions to ensure that disruption to patient care is minimised

Hospital statement

The NHS Counter-Fraud Investigation Service which examines allegations of fraud in the health service in Wales and England are dealing with the case.

The North East Wales NHS Trust have refused to say why the member of staff has been asked to leave.

In a statement a spokesman said: "The North East Wales NHS Trust can confirm that a member of consultant staff has been suspended.

"This suspension does not relate to any aspect of the treatment or clinical care provided to the consultant's patients.

The Trust has made a brief statement

"The trust is seeking to make provisions to ensure that disruption to patient care is minimised.

"The trust has no further comments to make at this time," the spokesman added.

The consultant was asked to leave the town centre hospital at the end of last week.

The fraud investigation service has refused to comment directly on the Wrexham case.

The suspension comes as the trust is scrutinised by Clwyd Community Health Council.

The patient watchdog wants to hear from Flintshire residents who attend the Wrexham Maelor Hospital for treatment to review whether or not services can be improved.