Dr Josu Mendiguren was seen staggering from his car after he crashed his Volkswagen Golf
Dr Welsh is the subject of a MPTS hearing
Dr Josu Mendiguren is not permitted to work as a GP
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A Liverpool doctor has been suspended after crashing his car into a wall while almost four times over the legal limit. Dr Josu Mendiguren was seen staggering from his car after he crashed his Volkswagen Golf into a number of parked vehicles.
Such was the state the practitioner – who worked at Townsend Medical Centre in Anfield – was in, a member of the public felt the need to intervene and take away Dr Mendiguren’s keys. He was later found guilty by magistrates but a Medical Practitioners Tribunal Service (MPTS) hearing was told how he did not inform the General Medical Council (GMC) of his conviction.
Now, panel members have handed down a punishment to the doctor after he also admitted that on one occasion he turned up for work while under the influence of alcohol. A MPTS hearing was told earlier this month how Dr Mendiguren drank in the morning before getting into his car.
He crashed into a series of parked cars before hitting a wall in July 2023. Jade Bucklow, on behalf of the GMC, said he was seen staggering from his car into a building opposite, thought to be his house.
When apprehended by police, the doctor provided a breath sample of 130mg of alcohol in 100ml of breath. The legal limit is 35mg – putting him almost four times over the limit. He was convicted at Liverpool Magistrates Court on August 1, 2023.
Dr Josu Mendiguren
Dr Josu Mendiguren
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At sentencing a month later, he was banned from driving for 30 months and ordered to undertake 160 hours of unpaid work. Dr Mendiguren was also instructed to abstain from alcohol for 80 days.
However, the doctor failed to inform GMC officials that he had been charged and convicted of the driving offence “without delay.” Andrew Colman, representing Dr Mendiguren, said his client admitted the charge against him.
Documents released by the MPTS revealed how the Anfield-based practitioner had also admitted that while working as a GP at Townsend Medical Centre in November 2023, he had turned up for work while under the influence of alcohol on one occasion.
A second charge was not found proven.
Despite his protestations, another charge was found that on at least one occasion, Dr Mendiguren conducted a telephone consultation while drunk.
Two further charges have been admitted and found proved but these have not been made public. The tribunal determined the doctor’s fitness to practise is currently impaired and suspended his registration for a period of six months.
Dr Mendiguren has the right to appeal but remains suspended during the 28-period in which he is able to do so.
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