A DOCTOR at Gwent hospitals denied being a "clock-watcher" who left as soon as his shift ended, irrespective of patients' treatment.

A professional conduct committee found yesterday that Dr Suresh Siddappa Kudari had left the casualty department of a hospital with no doctor on duty to take a breakfast break. The committee found that the department at Caerphilly Miners' Hospital was left in the sole charge of a staff nurse. But the committee decided that his conduct was "inappropriate" rather than irresponsible.

The committee did not accept allegations that on another occasion Dr Kudari, 54, had gone to lunch without seeing a heart by-pass patient suffering from chest pain. Earlier, the hearing was told Dr Kudari was transferred from one Gwent hospital to another so he could be more closely supervised after nurses complained that he was going 'AWOL'.

And before Dr Kudari could begin his probationary period, there were more complaints about his behaviour, it was alleged.

Gerald McCarthy, clinical director of the Gwent NHS Trust, told the General Medical Council's professional conduct committee in London that the numerous complaints about Dr Kudari's behaviour usually revolved around his absence from the accident and emergency departments at the Caerphilly District Miners' Hospital and the Royal Gwent Hospital in Newport for meal breaks.

Dr Kudari admits failing to carry out instructions given to him on April 30, 1998 when a patient was admitted with a crush injury to her hand but denies all the other allegations of inappropriate and irresponsible behaviour.

The hearing is expected to announce its full decision today.