A DOCTOR found to have lied following the death of a baby boy from Darwen has been allowed to return to unrestricted practice by a medical watchdog.

Dr Olufemi Dina, who was involved in the breech birth of Arron Almond in September 2010, where his head became stuck for 20 minutes and he later died, has served a suspension.

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But the Medical Practitioners Tribunal Service (MPTS) has now ruled that the fitness to practise of the doctor, who trained in Nigeria, is no longer impaired.

Dina was not criticised for his clinical failings, in relation to the birth at the Royal Blackburn Hospital, where he was a locum specialist registrar in obstetrics.

However he had been required, because of previous recorded failings, to let the medical authorities know of any such posting, so his performance could be kept under review.

A Lancashire Telegraph article concerning the case of baby Arron alerted investigators from the General Medical Council (GMC), the forerunner to the MPTS, and an inquiry was launched.

In January 2014 Dina was suspended from practising for 12 months and this was reviewed by a fresh panel, sitting in Manchester.

The doctor told the hearing he had undertaken a course and accepted his failure to notify authorities of his post had been ‘deliberate and misleading’.

Robert Sastry, for the GMC, said Dina’s performance was still impaired because of his ‘serious and dishonest’ previous conduct.

And while it was accepted he had shown insight into his failings, Mr Sastry told the hearing there were concerns as the doctor had been out of practice for a year.

Panel chairman Sara Fenoughty, allowing Dr Dina to return to practice without conditions, said: “In light of your increased insight and the significant steps you have taken to remedy your failings and keep your knowledge and skills up to date, the panel considers the risk of you repeating similar behaviour in the future is now highly unlikely.”

Rineke Schram, chief medical officer at East Lancashire Hospitals Trust, said: “East Lancashire Hospitals NHS Trust will not be re-employing Dr Dina.”