by Jan Thom

Halfway GP Dr Valiyakalayil Ramu can return to work a year after being suspended from practice by the General Medical Council (GMC).

But the charity stalwart, who drew loyal support from many patients, must convince the GMC he has undergone training under supervision.

Dr Ramu was convicted in October 2007 of two offences of obtaining anti-impotence pills from the NHS by deception, and one offence of fraud by false representation.

Two further offences of fraud by false representation were taken into consideration.

He was sentenced to a 12-month community order and ordered to carry out 200 hours of unpaid work, and pay £600 costs.

Sittingbourne Magistrates’ Court heard that on five separate occasions, Dr Ramu wrote prescriptions for Cialis, a drug used to treat erectile dysfunction, using the name of one of his patients.

But he did not prescribe the drug for the patient in whose name the prescriptions were written, but had them dispensed, and gave them to other patients who needed but could not afford the drug.

The GMC found in August last year, that through his dishonest conduct he had failed to meet the standards expected of a registered medical practitioner, and suspended his registration for 12 months.

The fitness to practice panel which met to review the case last week was told Dr Ramu accepted he had made a “terrible mistake”. He admitted being ashamed at what he had done and the consequent breakdown in patient and doctor trust.

The 13 conditions placed on Dr Ramu’s registration include the need to confine his medical practice to NHS posts not to carry out any private practice.

He cannot work as a locum or undertake any out-of-hours work, and must work under supervision to train in medical ethics and issues of risk and patient safety.

The panel will review the matter in 15 months when Dr Ramu must show evidence that he has gained “increased insight” into the requirements for a doctor to be “honest and trustworthy” in all aspects of his professional life, including patient safety.

GMC panel chairman Ann Barker told him: “The panel is encouraged by the steps you have taken to understand your actions, but remains concerned that you have not demonstrated a clear recognition and acceptance of the potential risks and dangers to which you exposed your four patients.”

Attempts to reach Dr Ramu for comment were unsuccessful.