A CONSULTANT cardiologist has been suspended from Ipswich Hospital for more than three years on full pay, it has emerged.Sisiresh Chakrabarty was suspended in November 2005 from working at the hospital, but has remained on the pay roll ever since while an investigation into his competence was carried out.

A CONSULTANT cardiologist has been suspended from Ipswich Hospital for more than three years on full pay, it has emerged.

Sisiresh Chakrabarty was suspended in November 2005 from working at the hospital, but has remained on the pay roll ever since while an investigation into his competence was carried out.

National employment guidelines mean the Heath Road hospital had no choice but to keep Dr Chakrabarty on full pay even though he was not working at the site.

Dr Chakrabarty finally appeared before General Medical Council (GMC) examiners in January where he was told he could work again, but only if he met strict conditions.

Ipswich Hospital will now review his contract, which is costing it tens of thousands a year - consultant cardiologists currently earn between �73,000 and �99,000 - and has taken more than three years to resolve.

The GMC's hearing determined Dr Chakrabarty had “deficiencies” in numerous areas of his professional ability, including assessing patients, providing or arranging treatment, referring patients, treatment in emergencies, communication skills, respect for patients, relationships with colleagues, record keeping, and working within laws and regulations.

Dr Chakrabarty, who qualified as a doctor in 1982 after studying at India's Ranchi University, was told he would need to keep the GMC abreast of his working movements if he took up employment in Britain or abroad again.

He was also barred from carrying out work in private hospitals and told that his work must be supervised by a consultant at all times.

Ipswich Hospital said a meeting to determine Dr Chakrabarty's future would be held within the next few months.

Jan Rowsell, hospital spokeswoman, said: “We are carefully considering the feedback from the GMC and in accordance with the procedures we will formally meet with the doctor concerned to review this.”

The hospital was not able to release a photograph because the only one it has of Dr Chakrabarty is his official identity card - and Ms Rowsell said this could not be published without it breaching the data protection act.