A SURGEON facing allegations of severe failures and poor performance has had conditions placed on his medical practice for a further six months by a top judge. Dr Dimitris Kaltsas worked for the Barking, Havering and Redbridge Hospitals NHS Trust but, a

A SURGEON facing allegations of "severe failures and poor performance" has had conditions placed on his medical practice for a further six months by a top judge.

Dr Dimitris Kaltsas worked for the Barking, Havering and Redbridge Hospitals NHS Trust but, after concerns were raised about his performance, he was suspended from practicing for 18 months by the General Medical Council in September 2007.

That order has now been varied to allow the doctor to undertake insurance medicals and medico-legal reports.

Whilst none of the allegations have been proved against him, Mr Justice Collins today ordered that the interim conditions on his practice remain in force for another six months, until September 2, to allow the GMC time to finalise its preparations for a full hearing of his case.

The GMC argued it was "necessary for the protection of the public, in the public interest, and in the doctor's own interest" that the order be extended, with Dr Kaltsas's consent.