A DOCTOR who worked as a town centre GP for 28 years is facing a hearing into alleged sexual misconduct.

Dr Matthew Gale, who was part of the Gale/Carlos practice at Chorley Health Centre, Collison Avenue, was suspended on December 23, 2014 and has been the subject of an inquiry by the General Medical Council.

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At the time, the commissioning body for the GP surgery, NHS England, confirmed he was ‘suspended from practice’.

Dr Gale faces a four-day hearing in Manchester, beginning on Monday, October 10 which will examine his fitness to practise medicine.

The tribunal will look into the allegation that Dr Gale accepted a caution on December 12, 2014 at Chorley police station relating to a sexual offence.

The pre-hearing report states: “The allegation relates to a sexual assault on a female, an offence committed alone on November 6, 2013 at Chorley.

“He intentionally touched a woman aged 16 or over and that touching was sexual when she did not consent and he did not reasonably believe that she was consenting.”

Dr Gale qualified with a medical degree in 1982 before completing his General Practitioner training in 1986.

He worked at the Chorley Health Centre practice, Collison Avenue, from 1986 until his suspension.

At the time of his suspension, the doctors’ surgery website stated he was ‘a committed member of Living Waters Church and his hobbies include walking and cycling’.

A spokesperson for NHS England, Lancashire said: “We are aware a Lancashire GP has been suspended from practice while GMC investigations are ongoing.”

The four day medical practitioners tribunal hearing will consider a case of Dr Gale’s impairment by reason of a conviction or caution.

The tribunal will meet at St James’s Buildings, Oxford Street, Manchester.