A DOCTOR who was too embarrassed to carry out intimate examinations of patients received dozens of complaints about his bizarre behaviour.

Dr John Le Geyt, who now works in Faversham, was dubbed "a loner" by colleagues who worked with him at Erith Health Centre, Erith High Street.

They complained he would often lock himself away in his surgery during the day to work on his computer instead of seeing patients.

And patients accused him of making inappropriate and unprofessional comments.

Last week, the General Medical Council (GMC) met to review restrictions it had imposed on Dr Le Geyt in 2002.

The GMC heard the GP was shy and lacking in social skills, although his academic knowledege was high.

Complaints from staff and patients were made to the then Greenwich and Bexley Health Authority in 2000, which wrote to Dr Le Geyt in December that year to raise its concerns.

But his response to the letter was described as "far from positive".

The GMC decided to intervene and carry out a personal performance assessment in 2002 because of the continuing large number of complaints.

During the assessment, it was revealed Dr Le Geyt suffered from mood swings, hypertension and acute anxiety.

His assessors concluded his communication and relationship with patients was a cause for concern.

The assessment revealed his performance in this area was "unacceptable."

By contrast he scored 91 per cent in the knowledge part of the assessment.

As a result, Dr Le Geyt was banned from working without supervision, or at weekends or on-call, for two years.

The restrictions were extended for another year in August last year but the GP has since undergone social skills training and group therapy.

At last week's hearing Dr Le Geyt said embarassment had made him reluctant to carry out intimate examinations.

However, following training he now found it easier.

Recent assessments found although he was still shy with patients, he was now able to build good relationships with them.

Dr Le Geyt has put together a personal development plan to enable him to make further progress.

The GMC agreed to lift all restrictions on his work.