Disgraced surgeon could work again

Rodney Ledward was struck off the medical register

Shamed gynaecologist Rodney Ledward could work again as a pharmacist in Ireland, it has emerged.

The former Kent-based consultant, who now lives in Mallow, Co Cork, is registered for employment as a locum. This allows him to cover for fellow chemists around the Republic if they are taking leave.

"I am a registered pharmacist here and in Britain and I've no problem finding work if I want it," he said.

He could work anywhere - in a chemist shop or dispensing drugs in a hospital

Ann McGee, Irish Pharmaceutical Society

Mr Ledward, 62, - who styled himself the fastest gynaecologist in the South East - was struck off in 1998 after he was found guilty of bungling 13 operations on women.

He removed one woman's ovaries without her consent and 198 other claims for compensation have followed, with dozens already settled.

But despite his record Ann McGee, Registrar of the Irish Pharmaceutical Society, said she could "do nothing" to stop him practising pharmacy in Ireland.

"He could work anywhere - in a chemist shop or dispensing drugs in a hospital," she said. "He registered in Ireland in March 1999 under the EU free movement laws.

Climate of fear

"The society is naturally very concerned about the situation but is quite powerless to act.

"The case proven against Dr Ledward related to his acts as a gynaecologist and specifically as a surgeon and that is quite distinct from his ability to act as a pharmaceutical chemist.

"In the absence of any case against him that demonstrates a lack of competence to act as a chemist the Society can do nothing."

She added that it was "very rare" for doctors to register as chemists.

Milburn is looking at pension

The report from the year-long inquiry into the Ledward affair, which was published last week, detailed horrific accounts of women left maimed, scarred and emotionally damaged while he was working as a gynaecologist.

The independent inquiry, headed by Jean Ritchie QC, also exposed a climate of fear and intimidation in the NHS where consultants were considered "gods" and managers ignored the concerns of other doctors.

It is estimated that compensation for all of Ledward's victims could reach £1.2 million - a record amount against an individual surgeon.

Health Secretary Alan Milburn is currently considering removing the former doctor's NHS pension.