AN INVESTIGATION has been launched after a Weston doctor convicted of molesting his patients was discovered working at a blood donor session.

AN INVESTIGATION has been launched after a Weston doctor convicted of molesting his patients was discovered working at a blood donor session.

Philip Carman, aged 54, was struck off the medical register by the General Medical Council (GMC) three years ago after being convicted of indecent assault at Stafford Place Surgery in Weston, where he was a GP.

The GMC labelled him as 'a danger to the public'.

However, an internal investigation by the National Blood Service (NBS) is now underway after Carman was recognised by a donor who was giving blood in the resort.

An NBS spokesman said: "During that investigation it would be inappropriate and unhelpful for us to speculate regarding any of the details.

"We can however confirm that the person was employed in a donor services management capacity, which means the individual was not employed as a medical doctor and was not in a front line post.

"We would take this opportunity to state that the well-being of our blood donors is always a priority for the National Blood Service and for that reason we have acted swiftly by commencing this investigation.

"The person concerned is currently suspended, pending the full and on-going investigation."

Previously, Carman, a father-of-four, received an 18-month jail sentence at Bristol Crown Court in September 2003 after denying nine charges of indecent assault from 1983-2001. Six offences were later overturned on appeal.