Pension threat for shamed surgeon

Rodney Ledward was struck off the medical register

Shamed gynaecologist Rodney Ledward could lose his pension after being struck off for a 16-year history of botched operations.

Health Secretary Alan Milburn says he is considering "firm and appropriate" action to remove the former doctor's pension following pressure by women who suffered permanent injuries as a result of his surgery.

The Department of Health will consider whether it is possible to stop Mr Ledward receiving payments from the NHS pension fund, although the strict rules may prevent action.

He deserves everything that is coming to him

Dr Peter Hawker, BMA

The move follows a damning official report criticising a system which allowed the surgeon to carry out operations which earned him the nickname "butcher of Ashford."

Mr Ledward, 62, - who styled himself the fastest gynaecologist in the South East - was struck off after some patients at the William Harvey Hospital complained.

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

Reservations

The Department of Health would not confirm reports that his pension was worth up to £50,000 - half the £100,000 annual salary he was being paid when he was struck off.

Pressure to further penalise Ledward was supported by Ashford's Conservative MP Damian Green and Dr Peter Hawker, chairman of the British Medical Association's Consultant Committee.

Milburn considering 'firm' action

"I have a lot of very angry constituents who feel they were let down by the medical profession over a period of time," said Mr Green told the BBC Radio 4 Today programme.

"They feel very angry that they may have to take individual legal action to gain some compensation and that Rodney Ledward still appears to be able to benefit working as an NHS doctor."

Dr Hawker agreed.

"I have looked at the regulations and it does seem the Secretary of State could take some action in this particular case and have some effect on this appalling character's pension," he said.

"If it is within the rules then this man has behaved in such an incompetent and arrogant manner that I believe he deserves everything that is coming to him."

But Dr Hawker warned that the pension rules covered more than a million health workers and that there would be reservations about giving the Government more power over pensions.