A FAMILY doctor who is accused of providing "inadequate care" for her patients is facing a General Medical Council (GMC) hearing next week.

Dr Usha Shyam Narendra Singh, a locum GP practising in the Tyne and Wear area, has been summoned to appear before the Professional Conduct Committee of the GMC meeting in Manchester.

It is alleged that Dr Singh provided inadequate care for her patients and that she acted in a manner that was not in the best interests of her patients.

It is also alleged that Dr Singh behaved in an unprofessional, misleading and unhelpful manner by not responding promptly to letters of complaint issued against her.

Dr Singh is due to appear between June 10 to 13.

The GMC licenses doctors to practise medicine in the UK. If serious professional misconduct is proven the offending doctor can be removed from the medical register and barred from practising.

A spokeswoman for Northumberland, Tyne and Wear Strategic Health Authority said: "We are aware that this matter is being dealt with by the GMC."