A BASINGSTOKE family doctor has been struck off for the second time after being found guilty of lying to cover up his neglect of a bed-ridden pensioner.

The Professional Conduct Committee of the General Medical Council ruled that Dr Narumanchi Sai Baba should immediately be banned from working as a doctor to protect the public.

Chairman Professor Denis McDevitt, told Baba: "These are very serious findings and we are in no doubt that together they amount to serious professional misconduct."

The case concerned 74-year-old Popley pensioner Charles Walker who fell ill and took to his bed on Christmas Day, 1995.

Baba diagnosed flu but his condition worsened and he was rushed to hospital on February 5 where he died on April 20, 1996 from a heart infection and a stroke.

It was claimed that Baba had refused to come straight out when Mr Walker's daughter Carol rang him on February 5, saying she thought her father was having a stroke.

The prosecution claimed Baba may have forged his own notes to cover his tracks after later hearing how serious Mr Walker's illness had become.

The committee ruled that Baba had: LIED about organising important tests for Mr Walker. LIED about asking Mr Walker to his surgery. LIED that notes which backed his claims were made at the time of his visits.

FAILED to take "any or adequate steps to further investigate Mr Walker's condition and treatment needs". Baba was struck off in January last year after admitting lying to cover his tracks in the same case.

But the Privy Council ordered a re-hearing by a fresh committee after he appealed.

Following the two-day hearing Mrs Walker, 70, said: "It has been a terrible ordeal, having to go through it all again. I'm in poor health and it has been a great stress, but I'm so glad it's over."

Baba had 2,000 patients on the list of his single-handed practice which he ran from Bermuda Close in Popley and from surgeries in Winklebury and at his home in Reading Road, Chineham.

In his defence, Baba said he had been under stress: "It was not intentional. I was working 100 hours a week."

His counsel Alan Jenkins handed in a petition and many letters written by patients in support of Baba.

Baba has 28 days in which to lodge an appeal.