Epilepsy doctor hearing delayed

Dr Andrew Holton was suspended from his post five years ago

An investigation into the case of a Leicester doctor who wrongly diagnosed hundreds of children with epilepsy has been postponed for a second time.

Dr Andrew Holton misdiagnosed over 600 children, prescribing drugs which left some unable to walk or see properly.

The General Medical Council began a hearing in London in April to decide what restrictions to put on him.

But the hearing, which is expected to last for four more days, has been delayed due to illness.

A GMC spokesman could not confirm who was sick, or what their medical condition was.

A new date for the hearing will be decided some time later this week, the spokesman added.

Dr Holton was suspended from the Leicester Royal Infirmary in 2001.

He was allowed to retrain and is now working as a specialist at New Cross Hospital in Wolverhampton in the West Midlands.

The parents of children misdiagnosed with epilepsy by a Leicester doctor have launched a new bid to get a public hearing into his conduct.

Dr Andrew Holton wrongly diagnosed over 600 children, giving drugs that left some unable to walk or see properly.

Some of the families affected are going to the GMC on Wednesday to formally ask for another hearing.

They are doing this because the GMC has changed its rules, which means that cases are now held in public.

Dr Holton was suspended from the Leicester Royal Infirmary in 2001.

The GMC began a private hearing in May to decide what restrictions to put on him but it has now been delayed until at least September.

The GMC says it cannot comment on individual cases - but says it has arranged a meeting with the families and one of its directors.