A CONSULTANT heart specialist at Arrowe Park Hospital has been sacked for gross misconduct after he was accused of sexually harassing junior doctors.

Dr Palaniappan Saravanan was a cardiologist for Wirral University Hospital Foundation Trust until his dismissal in November.

According to the Health Service Journal it was alleged Dr Saravanan touched three junior doctors in a sexual nature.

The individuals involved have declined to refer the matter to the police, although hospital officials say the allegations are "not time sensitive."

Following his dismissal he no longer has a licence to work as a doctor while the General Medical Council investigates.

A Wirral University Teaching Hospital spokeswoman said: “We can confirm that Dr Saravanan has been dismissed for reasons of gross misconduct.

"Accordingly the matter has been referred to the General Medical Council.

“It is not normal for the trust to comment on the details of employment proceedings, but as part of our robust safeguarding procedures we can confirm that our head of safeguarding was in contact with a police liaison officer about this matter.

“As individuals declined police involvement no official crime report was made.

"The trust however continues to offer its reassurance should any individual it works with wish to pursue this matter further and that these allegations are not time sensitive in nature.”

Concerns were also raised about the culture inside the hospital's cardiology department.