AN emergency call-out doctor, who left two seriously ill patients to die after bungling their treatment, has been told she can now practice freely.

Dr Jane Veronica Gustafsson, 51, was found guilty of serious professional misconduct last year but was allowed to keep her job, with restrictions, by the General Medical Council (GMC).

Patient William Brettwood, 77, died of respiratory failure after nursing home staff mistakenly gave him a lethal dose of powerful painkillers and she failed to visit him.

A month later, Edward Hood, a 50-year-old insulin-dependant diabetic, had a fatal stomach haemorrhage hours after Dr Gustafsson told him he was suffering a panic attack.

Dr Gustafsson, registered at The Surgery, Marlborough, Seaham, in County Durham, has been assessed over the past year. She was told she had to act upon any recommendations in the report of her performance and notify any employers of the conditions on her.

Yesterday, the GMC professional conduct committee told her they were satisfied she had complied with the probe and lifted the restriction.

Chairman David Swinstead said: 'We are pleased to hear that the report did not find any evidence of serious deficient performance. They found that your performance was acceptable in 11 of the 15 areas assessed.

"Of the areas that gave cause for concern, the committee is extremely pleased to see clear evidence of the positive efforts that you have taken to address them."

Dr Gustafsson was acquitted of the manslaughter of Mr Brettwood in 1999 due to insufficient evidence.