Overseas GP ordered to re-train

Richard Blake (l) was diagnosed with lung and bladder infections

An out-of-hours overseas GP who refused to visit an ill 97-year-old Cornishman must have further training.

Richard Blake's son Clive said the doctor he spoke to over the phone told him his father should wait until the morning to see his local GP.

Mr Blake spent eight weeks in hospital after his son called for an ambulance.

Serco, which runs the service, has apologised saying the doctor involved will have telephone training before he can work for it again.

In a letter sent to the Blakes, seen by BBC South West Health Correspondent Sally Mountjoy, Serco's medical director, Dr Colin Barrett, said: "I have listened to the conversation and have to agree with you that the telephone consultation was not acceptable.

I would like to offer an unreserved apology to you and your father for the unsatisfactory advice you received Dr Colin Barrett

"His advice to continue giving him fluids and wait for the registered doctor was not appropriate for a gentleman of your father's age who had very recently had a fall.

"I would like to offer an unreserved apology to you and your father for the unsatisfactory advice you received."

He said he had recommended the doctor involved needed to receive further telephone training before he could work for the service again.

Dr Barrett said in the letter the doctor was from overseas and was recruited to work for the service at its inaugural stage in April.

He said the service would have preferred to employ local doctors but were unable to recruit them.

Multi-national company Serco took over Cornwall's out-of-hours service in April, replacing the GP co-operative KernowDoc.