A Dundee doctor has been suspended for another year for running a methadone clinic without proper training.
Dr Dennis Charles Miller had already been banned from working as a doctor for six months for breaches over prescribing drugs for an addict at the former Ardler practice.
He issued nitrazepam without the knowledge or agreement of the Drug Problem Service and did not challenge the patient about his overuse of the medication or encourage him to reduce his dosage.
Dr Miller chose not to attend his review hearing in Manchester this week and the fitness to practice panel noted guidance that a suspension should not be lifted unless the doctor concerned was deemed safe to return to practice.
They considered he had still not adequately addressed the problems.
A letter from his solicitors said he had rekindled his interest in medicine and his desire to make a positive contribution to the NHS and patient care.
Six months had not been sufficient for him to get his life back on track and do all the remediation work that would be expected of him.
He had started online learning modules, reviewing texts and subscribing to journals but “he has only just started what will be a long road to remediation”.
David Flinter, chairman of the tribunal’s fitness to practice panel, said yesterday the suspension should be extended for 12 months to allow Dr Miller time to address the tribunal’s concerns.
His case will be reviewed at the end of that period and he will be expected to attend the hearing in October 2014.
Dr Miller also gave the man the psychiatric medication lithium without specialist advice or tests and the heroin substitute methadone when it was already being prescribed to him.
Shortcomings were found in his clinical care, treatment and relationships with colleagues, including failures to take part in practice meetings, staff training and audits and he failed a series of professional assessments.
In imposing the first suspension, the tribunal said his conduct was unacceptable but there was evidence he was caring and committed and had the potential to remedy his failings.
To resume his career he will have to show what he has done to maintain his medical knowledge and produce plans for his educational mentoring.