Death doctors given bans by GMC

Dr Srivastava was given a six months suspension

Doctors who were convicted of the manslaughter of a patient have been suspended from practising medicine by the General Medical Council (GMC).

The GMC did not strike off Dr Rajeev Srivastava or Dr Amit Misra, but instead banned Dr Misra for 12 months and Dr Srivastava for six months.

Sean Phillips, 31, of Southampton, died after a knee operation in June 2000 at the city's General Hospital.

Dr Srivastava and Dr Misra were convicted of manslaughter in 2003.

Mr Phillips, originally from Faversham in Kent, died after the pair failed to tackle the obvious signs of a serious illness he had picked up following the surgery.

They failed to take blood samples, give life-saving antibiotics or consult senior colleagues.

You have apologised sincerely and genuinely for this terrible lapse of judgment on your part Fitness to practise panel report

The GMC ruling on Dr Srivastava was withheld at the end of a two-day hearing last week but has now been published.

The GMC's fitness to practise panel told Dr Srivastava, who now lives in Scotland: "You failed to assess Mr Phillips adequately.

"You did not take prompt action when it was necessary and you did not consult a more experienced colleague despite having opportunities to do so."

But it added it had accepted that his case had "exceptional features".

"You have shown remorse. You have apologised sincerely and genuinely for this terrible lapse of judgment on your part.

"You acknowledge the continued suffering of Mr Phillip's family.

Toxic shock

"You have demonstrated insight into your failings and have learnt from what happened," the panel said.

The doctors were convicted of manslaughter in April 2003 at Winchester Crown Court.

They were sentenced to 18 months' imprisonment which was suspended for two years.

Mr Phillips died of toxic shock syndrome after catching MRSA.