AN Askam GP has had restrictions placed on his practice after he was arrested on suspicion of sexual assault.

Dr Prakashchandra Jain, the sole GP at Askam Surgery, was arrested in August after an allegation of sexual assault was made to police.

He was later released under investigation and has not returned to work since.

The Medical Practitioners Tribunal Service (MPTS), which oversees whether a doctor’s fitness to practice is impaired, has now imposed interim conditions on Dr Jain following an Interim Orders Tribunal (IOT) on Wednesday September 11.

The General Medical Council (GMC) can refer a doctor to the MPTS for an IOT at any point during an investigation, if it is necessary for the protection of the public, or otherwise in the public interest or in the interests of the doctor.

These restrictions are subject to review while the GMC’s investigation is ongoing.

Dr Jain’s restrictions include a ban from carrying out consultations with female patients without a chaperone unless in a life-threatening emergency.

He must keep a log detailing every case where he has carried out a consultation with such a patient, which must be signed by the chaperone, and must keep a log detailing every case where he has carried out a consultation with such a patient in a life-threatening emergency, without a chaperone present.

He must allow the GMC to exchange information with his employer or any contracting body for which he provides medical services.

Dr Jain must also inform the GMC of any job he accepts, of any disciplinary proceedings against him, of any organisation where he has practising privileges, and of the contact details of any locum agency or out-of-hours service he is registered with.

He must also provide the GMC with details of his current position.

A spokesman from Morecambe Bay Clinical Commissioning Group, said: “Dr Jain, the GP at Askam Surgery, is currently unable to provide patient care.

“We would like to assure patients that Askam Surgery is open as usual and appropriate service cover is in place.”

Councillor Ben Shirley from Askam, who represents Dalton North on Cumbria County Council and Barrow Council, said it was vital that GP services were retained in the village.

Cllr Shirley, who is a patient at the surgery in Parklands Drive, said: “It’s reassuring that throughout this investigation patient safety and welfare has been at the heart of it and that the authorities are responding appropriately.

“I understand the surgery is still dispensing prescriptions and has a locum GP who is treating patients and is available.

“Patients have been getting same day appointments.

“As a community it’s a vital service and it’s important that we retain our GP surgery.”