A GYNAECOLOGIST from the North-East has been suspended by the General Medical Council - just days after a former colleague was struck off.

Dr Peter Silverstone of Elmfield Park, Newcastle, who used to work at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital in Gateshead has had an interim suspension order placed on him by the GMC's interim committee in the interests of public safety.

Dr Silverstone, who specialises in gynaecology and obstetrics is currently not practising but it is understood that he used to work at the Gateshead hospital.

No details of the accusations against Dr Silverstone were given by GMC officials.

The order does not amount to a finding of fact but has been imposed to protect the public pending a full investigation.

Last week, his former colleague Dr Janusz Wszeborowski, aged 67, was struck off the medical register for serious professional misconduct.

Gateshead Health Trust, which runs the Queen Elisabeth Hospital, suspended Dr Wszeborowski in September 1997 after colleagues raised concerns about his work.

During the GMC hearing the doctor was found to have used "undue force" while delivering three babies.