A DOCTOR who failed to send cancer patients to hospital for urgent treatment because of her own health problems can carry on practising medicine.

Linda Jacobs, who worked at Kingswood Surgery in Park North, tampered with the medical notes of two patients to cover up her blunder after complaints began to flood into her Swindon surgery.

The scandal led to an inquiry by the local Primary Care Trust into the care of 10,000 patients on her list, the General Medical Council heard this week.

Dr Jacobs appeared at the GMC hearing to admit failing to properly refer 12 patients to hospital.

She claimed she was suffering from mental and physical health problems but the evidence about her condition was heard in secret.

The GMC ruled it was not necessary to ban Dr Jacobs from working as a doctor and made her subject to strict supervision orders.

Chairman of the GMC panel Richard Kyle told Dr Jacobs: "The imposition of conditions will adequately safeguard patients and the public interest.

"You require a sufficient period of time to enable you to progress in your recovery and address the deficiencies in your practice, whilst reflecting on the seriousness of your misconduct."

Dr Jacobs was working at the Kingswood Avenue surgery as a partner when the incidents happened between 2003 and 2005.

The patients she failed to refer included three with blood in the urine, two patients with cancer, one with stroke symptoms, two in need of orthopaedic treatment and one in need of a chest x-ray.

Dr Jacobs must work under mentors and only work at a GP practice under the supervision of a named GP colleague.

If she has a relapse of her health problem her mentor can order her to stop work at once.

She will also be subject to the conditions of practice order for 18 months, after which her case will be reviewed.

A Swindon PCT spokeswoman said: "As soon as we were made aware of concerns over the GP, we took immediate action to investigate the complaints raised over two years ago.

"The investigation included formally writing to all patients registered with the practice. As a result of this we had many patients contact us with their concerns, and as far as we are aware these have all now been resolved.

"We are currently reviewing the GMC's judgment and recommendations, and will work closely with all parties involved."

Patients were full of praise for Dr Jacobs. A 72-year-old woman from Park South said: "I've always found her to be very competent. I was surprised when I heard the news."

Patricia Prior, 74, and her husband George, 75, said Dr Jacobs had provided first class care.

"She referred my wife to hospital," said George. "She has always been a nice and friendly doctor to us, who genuinely cares about her patients."

A 76-year-old patient said: "Mistakes can happen - she is only human. This has been my surgery since 1956 and always found it to be of a high standard.".