DOCTOR 'DRUGS FOR SEX' SCANDAL; GP faces a catalogue of complaints.

Byline: CAROLINE WHEELER

A MIDLAND doctor has been accused of prescribing drugs in return for sex.

Dr Bellipady Sudharam Rai is alleged to have prescribed drugs in exchange for sex and other steamy acts with a patient.

Among the drugs allegedly prescribed by the GP in Rainworth, Nottinghamshire, was one used for the treatment of alcoholics.

The doctor, who lives in a mansion four miles from his surgery and is a former police surgeon, faces a catalogue of complaints.

While a GP he is also accused of:

Having financial interests in a care home in which he was treating a patient for senile dementia,

Breaking doctor patient confidentiality, and Taking on patients who lived outside his practice area.

And during his time as a police surgeon, he is said to have: Prescribed excessive amounts of medication to a known methadone addict suf-fering from withdrawal symptoms

Failed to record how much of the drug he had given the patient, and lNot told a custody officer of the prisoner's condition before he was deemed fit to be interviewed.

Last week the GP, whose practice opened in 1984, appeared before the General Medical Council to answer the charges. But the case, which was to be heard by GMC's professional conduct committee in Manchester, was adjourned because Dr Rai was said to be suffering ill-health.

Last week the Sunday Mercury attempted to track down Dr Rai at the Ravenshead surgery where he is STILL working.

But the receptionist informed our reporter that Dr Rai was on long-term sick leave.

His neighbour also confirmed that the GP had been unwell.

But when our reporter went to put the allegations to Dr Rai, he was not at home.

'He was definitely here this morning,' said one neighbour. 'His car was here but now he's gone out. He's been unwell but I think he still sometimes goes down to his surgery.'

While the investigation continues into Dr Rai's conduct, the GMC has allowed him to continue to practice under strict conditions.

He has been made the subject of an interim order which bans him from treating female patients alone or prescribing controlled substances.

The order, which runs until August 2004, states: 'Except in life-threatening emergencies Dr Rai shall undertake all consultations with female patients, including domiciliary visits, in the immediate presence of another GMC-registered medical practitioner or a practitioner registered with the Nursing and Midwifery Council, or an adult member of the patient's family. 'In the event of the patient rejecting the presence of the chaperone, Dr Rai should not proceed.'

The order adds: 'Dr Rai will refrain from prescribing controlled drugs.'

Last night a spokesman for Newark and Sherwood Primary Trust said they were concerned that the GMC hearing had not gone ahead. 'We hope that Dr Rai will quickly be restored to health,' he added.

Medical reports submitted to the GMC's committee chairman Dr Michael Vaile last Monday suggested Dr Rai would be unfit to adequately instruct his defence or give evidence.

Dr Vaile said that psychiatric reports would need to be submitted six weeks before the next hearing on May 10 if Dr Rai wanted a further adjournment on ill-health grounds.

CAPTION(S):

ACCUSED... Dr Bellipady Sudharam Rai and (above) his surgery in Rainworth and (below) his home just four miles away