A DOCTOR has been struck off and branded a "serious risk" to patients because of poor levels of competency.

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.

Although he has now retired, he wanted to clear his name.

But yesterday, the GMC ruled that Dr Das, who has 45 years experience and has worked in Basildon since 1985, should be banned from the profession.

Panel chairman Dr Peter Jeffreys said Dr Das was "a serious risk to patients".

He said: "It is the panel's view, regrettably, that you do not understand the extent and nature of your deficiencies as a clinician."

In an assessment by the Essex Performance Advisory Group on behalf of Basildon PCT, Dr Das's scores were well below the benchmark for competent doctors.

He failed a GMC assessment in February 2007, with unacceptable performances in 11 out of 15 areas of medical practice.

The assessors consequently advised that Dr Das should stop treating patients.

Dr Jeffreys said Dr Das had a good career history for more than 40 years since qualifying as a doctor in 1963. He was a "caring and compassionate" doctor to his patients, and even provided a 24-hour call service.

But his failure to improve performance levels in 2006 showed he could no longer be trusted in the job, the panel ruled.

Dr Das defended his abilities at the hearing and said he had problems using computers.

Assessors from the peformace advisory group found his surgery computer records system had barely been used.

He also rebuffed criticism of his infection control measures because he said he only performed minor work and not open surgery.

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

"If there had been incidents, my throat would have been cut before.

"Patients would have complained or died."

The poor standards at his surgeries led to the 2007 assessments and the GMC hearing.