A DARTFORD GP faces being struck off over an alleged sexual relationship with a patient.

Dr Andrew Doyle will face a fitness to practise hearing because of allegations he carried on an "improper emotional relationship" with someone in his care.

The partner at the Orchard Practice in Tower Road has been suspended for more than two years pending the start of full fitness to practise proceedings.

Dr Doyle is supposed to have been involved with the patient from September 2010 to August 2011.

It is alleged he "engaged in inappropriate behaviour towards a patient which was sexually motivated."

The Medical Practitioners Tribunal Service will decide whether he is fit to continue working after the case was referred by the General Medical Council which decided there were grounds for a full hearing after investigating the allegation. 

Dr Doyle’s initial suspension began in October 2011 and was twice renewed at hearings in April 2013 and on January 9 this year.

The fitness to practise proceedings will start on February 24 in Manchester and are scheduled to run until March 11.

Dr Doyle will likely face a panel of three investigators with both medical and non-medical backgrounds who will hear details of the allegations.

If they consider the claims have been proved, they will then have to decide whether his fitness to practise is impaired.

If so, Dr Doyle could face being struck off the medical register or have conditions imposed on his continued registration.