A BURY GP who is alleged to have hired a man convicted of kidnapping, forgery and assault had his suspension confirmed by the General Medical Council's Interim Orders Committee.

Colin Ogdon, who was registered into the profession in 1975 and is currently registered at Higher Red Lees Farm, Helmshore Road, Holcombe, was initially suspended until April next year from October 20, 2000.

Each order is subject to a six month review at which the committee reaffirmed the suspension. It does not amount to a finding of fact, but is designed to protect the public.

Financial

Dr Ogdon was the subject of a health authority report claiming he hired a financial consultant named as Darren Gerrard, with a criminal record, to work in his surgery.

The allegations related to the financial consultant's access to patients' records, especially those of drug abusers.

An interim inquiry by Bury and Rochdale Health Authority into Dr Ogdon's practice identified a range of concerns about Gerrard, who had convictions for kidnapping, forgery and grievous bodily harm.

Dr Ogdon had also been found to have worked while on sick leave and medically unfit.

Among the issues being investigated by the authority were that Gerrard had access to vulnerable patients, namely substance misusers, that he constituted a risk to patients and that he had access to confidential patient information.

They were also examining the alleged storage of controlled drugs without due regard to approved protocols at the practice.

Police were also allegedly investigating fraud. There was no evidence that Gerrard gave medical advice to patients.

Dr Ogdon had been suspended by an NBS Tribunal and his practice manager had also been suspended although the health authority stresses his suspension was a "neutral act" pending investigations.