'Botched op' surgeon must retrain

A surgeon accused of botching breast cancer operations will have to undergo retraining before she is allowed to work again at Barnsley Hospital.

An investigation by the General Medical Council (GMC) resulted in a private practice ban on Puvaneswary Markandoo.

It also said she must meet conditions, including training and supervision, before she can continue NHS work.

In the meantime, she remains suspended by Barnsley Hospital NHS Foundation Trust and is not operating on patients.

Ms Markandoo was suspended in 2006 after compensation claims from about 30 women over her work.

A Barnsley Hospital NHS Foundation Trust spokesman said legal discussions were continuing with Ms Markandoo's representatives over the full implications of the GMC ruling.

He said she had not yet agreed to re-train and even if she did there was no guarantee she would work again at Barnsley Hospital.