A Bromley GP who failed to spot his patient’s low sperm count for two years has been given an official warning by the General Medical Council (GMC).

Dr Atul Arora, who runs the Sundridge Medical Practice on London Lane, was found to have brought his profession into disrepute at a GMC hearing on August 12.

The patient’s wife complained that the errors in her husband’s sperm analysis tests in 2010 and 2012 meant they wasted years trying to conceive instead of starting fertility treatment.

Chloe Binding, representing the GMC, submitted that Dr Arora showed little insight into his error and the impact it had on the couple in question.

The potential consequences included the couple spending four years trying to conceive with little chance of success.

They were eventually referred for time-critical fertility treatment when they were several years older.

Mr Geering, representing Dr Arora, submitted that the mistakes were down to human error, and should be judged in the context of an otherwise successful 35-year medical career.

He is also a clinical lead in the governing body of Bromley’s Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG), which plans and commissions health services for the area.

Dr Arora apologised to the couple in letters dated November 2014 and 2015.

MORE TOP STORIES

The committee decided that Dr Arora’s error led to a significant delay in referring the patient and his wife for fertility treatment.

The panel concluded: “In 2010 and 2012, you misinterpreted the results of Patient B’s semen analysis tests.

“Both samples showed sperm concentration or count significantly below the normal range but you informed Patient B that the results were normal.”

The warning will be published on the List of Registered Medical Practitioners (LRMP) for five years and disclosed to anyone who enquires about Dr Arora’s fitness to practise.

Thereafter it will be kept on record and disclosed to employers on request.

The latest inspection of the GP surgery showed that in the categories of safety and leadership, the practice requires improvement.

The report published on June 30 of this year by the Care Quality Commission (CQC) found that in the other three categories surveyed – whether the service was effective, caring and responsive – the practice was rated as good.