A NORTH-EAST gynaecologist's excessive use of force during forceps deliveries left newborn babies with extensive bruising and their parents in trauma for weeks, an inquiry heard yesterday.

Janusz Wszeborowski, 63, used such violence on one first-time mother that midwives and her husband had to cling on to her to stop her being pulled off her bed in the maternity unit of Queen Elizabeth Hospital in Gateshead, it was alleged.

Fiona Neale, barrister to the General Medical Council, told its professional conduct committee that, to make matters worse, the Polish-born doctor failed to alter his practices even when parents and hospital staff complained about his "inappropriate and insensitive" treatment.

His behaviour towards five women, three of whose babies he delivered by forceps between 1992 and 1996 showed "a common pattern of gross insensitivity", it was heard.

She said: "The council alleges there is a repeating pattern of inappropriate behaviour and that the doctor made no attempt to improve his approach, although it must have been evident to him that there was patient dissatisfaction.

"This doctor fell short of the standards expected of the profession and he made no attempt to try to correct his faults."

Miss Neale was opening the case against the now retired Dr Wszeborowski, of Shotley Gardens, Low Fell, Gateshead, who denies behaviour towards five women while he was employed as associate specialist on obstetrics and gynaecology at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital between 1992 and 1996.

The hearing continues