A PSYCHIATRIST who lied about his qualifications worked in a top Manchester hospital for 16 months.

Dr Kelvin Chatoor DID tell Manchester Mental Health and Social Care Trust that he was under investigation by the General Medical Council over irregularities on his CV when they hired him - but no effort was made to find out any more details.

Chatoor, pictured right, took part in sending 23 patients to secure accommodation - or sectioning - and gave powerful drugs to hundreds of vulnerable people when he worked as a locum consultant psychiatrist at Manchester Royal Infirmary.

It was only in October 2006 when Chatoor, 40, from Cheadle Hulme, showed them the list of charges he was due to face that they sacked him. Chatoor had made a serious of claims on his CV:

That he had passed a Bachelor of Science degree with first class honours, when he dropped out before finishing his course;

That he trained as a psychiatrist in Australia when he had only trained as a radiologist;

That he was employed as a trainee psychiatrist when he had worked as a general accident and emergency medic;

That he was a trainee psychiatrist in London for four months, when his psychiatric ward job lasted only a month.

He also falsely claimed to be a member of the Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Psychiatrists.

Chatoor had gained a basic medical degree in Trinidad, then worked in hospitals there and in Australia before coming to England in August 1999. After working in general medicine, his first psychiatry job was in 2001. Chatoor has now been struck off by the GMC.

Fitness to practice panel chairman Dr Linda Buchanan told him: "Over a lengthy period, you repeatedly exaggerated your experience in psychiatry to your own selfish advantage.

"The panel is concerned that, despite your formal admissions, you do not appear to show insight into the fact that there was a potential for patient harm."

Manchester health bosses have reviewed the 23 sections he signed and claim all but two were also signed by a specialist psychiatrist.

They have also looked at 40 of his prescriptions and say they have found no cases of `potential harm'.

A leading health lawyer is calling for an independent inquiry and believes the Manchester Mental Health and Social Care Trust could face a flood of legal actions.

Manchester solicitor Robert Lizars, who has specialised in mental health law for more than 30 years, said: "The trust's approach smacks of professional secrecy and complacency."

Patients concerned about treatment from Chatoor can contact Manchester Mental Heath & Social Care Trust on (0161) 882 1132.