A TECHNOPHOBE doctor blamed his ignorance of computers for his failure to keep proper patient and prescription records, a GMC hearing was told.

Dr Satya Das was suspended from Basildon PCT in 2006, after failing to improve standards at his two surgeries, in Falstones and Lower Street, Noak Bridge.

He failed a GMC performance assessment in February, 2007, when a panel ruled his professional performance was deficient.

At his latest hearing, the GP admitted he had failed the tests, but defended his abilities as a doctor with 45 years experience.

He said: "My only problem is computers.

"I didn't like computers.

"I was not computer literate and I was misled.

"I was told computers were coming, but not that it must all go on computer. You can do it manually as well."

In late 2005, Dr Das was given a list of things to improve at his surgeries, including adding all his patient and prescription records to the PCT's computer records system.

He was told to use the computer system for all prescribing, with full records of appointments.

However, when officials from the Essex Performance Advisory Group arrived in November to analyse his system, there was little to see, the hearing was told. The doctor was also ordered to make the crumbling consultation rooms "fit for purpose", and employ a nurse for four hours a week.

Dr Das said he had failed to do this because he could not find a nurse for such short a time.

He was also due to retire, and said he did not want to spend money creating a state-of-the-art surgery.

The doctor rebuffed criticism by the PCT of his infection control measures, as he only did minor work and not open surgery.

He said: "There was no incident of any infection in the 20 years I worked there.

"They came to say you haven't got this or that - your floor isn't clean.

"I was doing minor surgery. Why should my floor be like that?"

Dr Das, who is now retired, denies his fitness to practice was impaired.

The hearing continues.