A suspended GP has told of his living nightmare separated from his patients.

Dr Salah Garas, who ran his own practice in Golf Green Road, Jaywick, said his greatest frustration was not having had the chance to answer the allegations against him.

He was originally suspended in early September following an NHS tribunal, pending a full inquiry by it to be held in January.

However Dr Garas has now appeared before the interim orders committee of the General Medical Council sitting in London.

He was suspended for 18 months with effect from November 30.

The order does not amount to a finding of guilt but has been imposed to "protect the public" pending a full investigation.

No details of the accusations against him were revealed.

Speaking exclusively to the A HREF="http://www.thisisessex.co.uk/scripts/addarticle.asp?id=00000047">Evening Gazette from his Clacton home, Dr Garas said it had been a terrible few months.

"I feel as though I have been found guilty without a proper trial," he said.

"The interim committee has ratified the decision of the tribunal and I have been given no chance to answer any of the allegations made against me as yet. It does seem premature with the full hearing to take place in January."

Dr Garas said he was unable to go into details at this stage on the advice of his solicitor.

"All I will say is that it is not over by a long way," he added.

"It has all been a complete nightmare and a very difficult period for me, and my health has suffered."

Dr Garas said he very much missed working with his 2,500 patients at his single-handed practice in Jaywick. He thanked them for all the letters of support he had received, and their backing.

A locum doctor is currently taking care of patients at the practice in Jaywick.

By Nigel Brown

Reporter's e-mail: nigel_brown@thisisessex.co.uk

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