HUNDREDS of patients were treated with unsterilised instruments by a chiropodist, a disciplinary inquiry heard yesterday.

Kevin White, who worked for York Health Authority, was caught by a manager investigating his failure to make home visits.

The 43-year-old, of Meadow Drive, Thorpe Willoughby, Selby, North Yorkshire, faced six allegations - two of using unsterilised instruments and four of failing to provide chiropody care when required to do so.

The committee of the Chiropodists' Board found Mr White guilty in his absence of infamous conduct over failing to sterilise instruments and ordered his name to be removed from the register.

Chairman Ramon Ariori also expressed concern at the health trust's failure to monitor the supply of sterile instruments.