Bishop's Castle doctor suspended by the GMC

A doctor in Bishop's Castle has been suspended by the General Medical Council. Dr Adrian Penney of Bishop's Castle Medical Practice, has worked there for five years.

He was suspended by the GMC earlier this month. The reasons for his suspension have not yet been revealed.

Earlier this year Dr Penney was at the centre of a dispute with colleagues at the medical practice and was asked to stay away from the surgery for several months,

More than 1,000 signatures calling for Dr Penney to be reinstated were handed to Shropshire County Primary Care Trust.

But the PCT has always insisted the dispute needed to be resolved by GPs at the practice, not by its board.

The reasons behind the initial dispute still remain shrouded in mystery, and Dr Penney, medical practice staff and PCT officials have remained tight-lipped over the issue.

Practice manager Cheryl Brierley said: "I can confirm that Dr Penney has been suspended by the GMC but we are unable to go into any details surrounding the circumstances.

"While he is suspended locum cover has been arranged to ensure that patients receive appropriate and timely care as necessary.

"We will be working hard to ensure that the surgery can run as smoothly as possible."

A GMC spokesman confirmed Dr Penney had been suspended from his position on December 9.

Dr Penney was unavailable for comment today.