A WEST Somerset GP suspended for three months last October after admitting having affairs with two patients and breaking the rules over medical records has been sacked from her temporary clerical job at the Dunster doctor’s surgery after less than two weeks.
The practice was tight-lipped this week over exactly why 48-year-old Dr Clare Nettlecombe had left the part-time job at the surgery near her Dunster home, but a senior partner Dr Ian Kelham told the Free Press that it involved an “inappropriate social media posting”.
He said: “As soon as we were aware of this we took the necessary steps to terminate her employment and we have informed the appropriate authorities.”
If a complaint is made to the General Medical Council (GMC), the body could review her suspension or even launch a new investigation into her conduct.
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Two fire crews tackle Lydeard St Lawrence car blaze which spread to house“Dr Nettleton had been working for us four or five hours a day on a temporary basis but had a number of days off through illness.
“The job did not involve patient records and was not in conflict with the GMC ruling that she shouldn’t practise as a GP.
“We take patient confidentiality extremely seriously and are satisfied there has been no breach,” Dr Kelham said.
The mother of two was suspended for three months by the Medical Practitioners’ Tribunal Service after she admitted accessing patient records at Williton Health Centre, where she had worked since 2013.
Dr Nettleton and her partner were unavailable for comment.
Full story in today’s Free Press.