COLLEAGUES and former patients of consultant gynaecologist Rod Irvine have leapt to his defence, saying they were "gob-smacked" when they heard the allegations against him.

News Shopper reported in July how the treatment of Mr Irvine, who worked in Sidcup, Woolwich, Bromley, Orpington and Longfield, is under scrutiny.

A sample review of 255 of Mr Irvine’s patients showed concern over the treatment of 49 women and more serious cause for concern in the case of 17 women.

South London Healthcare NHS Trust (SLHT) wrote to just under 2,000 women who have had operations or other planned theatre procedures by Mr Irvine since he joined the trust in 2002.

But ex-patient Amanda Field, of Brampton Road, Bexleyheath, defended the consultant and described him as "professional."

The 50-year-old said: "I had a great experience having my hysterectomy with him.

"He did a fantastic job to the point where I was back driving, with my GP’s permission, on the eighth day after my operation.

"I got my life back really quickly.

"I then recommended him to probably four or five friends who all loved him, were all really full of praise, and I know they then went on and recommended him to other people."

She added: "He’s a really nice man, very professional and only wants to do the best for you."

Talking about the allegations againt Mr Irvine, Ms Field said: "It seems a little extreme and there doesn’t seem to be any proof.

"They haven’t provided evidence.

"They’re damning him with faint praise.

"You don’t hear of other consultants being damned until they’ve actually been struck off, whereas he’s being judged before he’s even had a trial."

Before being suspended in November last year, Mr Irvine was continuing to practise obstetrics and was working closely with midwives and doulas to "achieve the highest standards of care for both mother and baby".

A former colleague of Mr Irvine, who worked closely with him for ten years but did not wish to be named, said: "I spoke to him a couple of weeks ago. He said he got home that day and the Daily Mail were outside his house.

"It’s just awful.

"He was great, very easy to work for and very pleasant to talk to, we always had great conversations.

"When I first found out about his suspension I spent the first few months not being able to make a comment, I was just so gob-smacked, just speechless really.

"I wish it hadn’t happened to such a nice person."

Rod Irvine said in a statement: "Throughout my career I have acted with integrity and honesty and tried to do the best for my patients.

"Whilst I understand the wishes of the Trust to release a press statement the Trust has not yet had the opportunity to see my response to many of the concerns raised in order to assess if those concerns are well founded."