A SURGEON who specialises in hip and knee operations has been suspended from a hospital trust.

Jeremy Parker, a trauma and orthopaedic surgeon at Colchester Hospital, was interim suspended by the Medical Practitioners Tribunal Service.

A spokesman for the General Medical Council said: “An interim suspension was imposed on Jeremy Parker’s registration at an interim orders tribunal (IOT) at the Medical Practitioners Tribunal Service (MPTS).

“We can refer a doctor to the Medical Practitioners Tribunal Service for an interim orders tribunal at any point during an investigation if it is necessary for the protection of the public, or otherwise in the public interest or in the interests of the doctor.

“The tribunal does not determine the facts of what happened but undertakes a risk assessment of whether temporary protection is needed while a full investigation is carried out.”

The East Suffolk and North Essex NHS Foundation Trust, which runs Colchester Hospital, confirmed a consultant was suspended.

A spokeswoman added: “Because of this the consultant is no longer practising.

“We always work closely with the General Medical Council when concerns are raised about any doctor.”

Mr Parker also worked The Oaks Hospital in Colchester, which is run by Ramsay Healthcare.

A Ramsay Healthcare spokeswoman said: “Oaks Hospital was made aware Mr Parker has been suspended by Colchester Hospital and the General Medical Council.

“In line with our own clinical governance process and our partnership with Colchester Hospital, Oaks Hospital has also suspended Mr Parker until the investigation has been concluded.”